9. Michigan State Spartans - 18-3 (9-1 Big Ten)
The Spartans entered the week with one of the longest win streaks in the country at 12 and were the last unbeaten team in the Big Ten. They took on Minnesota at home first, a team that has shown they can be upset-minded. However, Michigan State and its elite defense dominated from start to finish, winning 73-51.
The Spartans only allowed 16 points in the first half and allowed just one player in double figures (Dawson Garcia with 21 points). On offense, it was another balanced effort overall, with nine players scoring between 5-12 points, led by Tre Holloman with 12.
But eventually, Michigan State was going to lose in the Big Ten. And that happened on the road on Saturday, taking on a USC team trying to get back onto the bubble. And the Trojans looked the part of a desperate team, pulling out the 70-64 victory to give Michigan State its first league blemish. The balanced scoring didn’t work out this time, with Jeremy Fears (12) and Jaden Akins (11) the only double-digit scorers.
Michigan State remains on the West Coast, taking on UCLA in a road matchup. They follow that up with another former Pac-12 team in Oregon, though this time, the game will be at the Spartans back in the Midwest.