Michigan State’s NCAA Tournament resume needs help

With just seven games remaining on their schedule and for the first time in a long time, Michigan State is on the bubble of making the NCAA tournament.  At 16-8 (7-4 in Big Ten) and an RPI ranking of 46, not a lot things have been impressive about them this year.

Inconsistent play, lack of leadership have plagued the Spartans all year and because of that, the team does not sit well in the eyes of some of the “experts”. Some “experts” have the team in the tournament as a nine seed or 12 seed and a very early exit.

As badly as things look for the Spartans, all is not lost for them. Selection Sunday is about a month away and if Michigan State wants to get off the bubble, it has to start with beating No. 23 Ohio State Saturday afternoon.

All is not lost for Michigan State, one thing that has kept the team on the bubble is they are playing in a mediocre conference. With the exception of Wisconsin, no team in the Big Ten has turned any heads this year.

If Michigan State wants to clinch their 18^th consecutive tournament and have a decent seed, they have to win at least five their final seven games.

Winning their final seven seems impossible, especially with the team has gone from lukewarm to cold this year and their struggles from the free-throw line. They are 2-6 against the top 50 teams and 4-6 against the top 100, including losses to Nebraska and at home to Texas Southern.

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Four of their seven remaining games are against top 50 teams, which helps their chances but only Ohio State will travel to East Lansing. The Spartans have to travel to Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and No. 5 Wisconsin. While Wisconsin poses the biggest threat, you never know how things will play out with this year’s team.

It’s time for Michigan State to buckle down and take the next step. Defeating Northwestern by 24 points last Tuesday is good for the team’s confidence but virtually does nothing in the eyes of the people who are involved in Selection Sunday.

“We’ve just go to sustain it and find ways to dig down and realize how we played against them and come out with the same energy and intensity.” Guard Denzel Valentine said on Mlive.com. “If we play with energy and intensity and we’re all locked in, I think we’re one of the best teams in the nation.”

If the Spartans are able to defend their home court and defeat No. 23 Ohio State, it does not catapult the team into the tournament but it does add to their resume.

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So far this season, Michigan State has not beaten anybody ranked in the top 25 this year. Two loses to Maryland, one to Kansas and Duke, the only thing this year’s team has on its resume are close loses and wins against below average teams. Last time I checked, close loses to the top teams is nothing you want to hang your hat on.

Obviously, the team does not chose their schedule but, if the team had won maybe one of those games and had not lost to below average teams, then this article does not exist. But they did not and this is where the team is.

Now, It would be foolish to count out a Tom Izzo coached team, so do not write the team completely off just yet. Izzo believes his team is still in the hunt.

“We’re competitive enough to be right in the hunt for a lot of things still, and that’s kind of where you’ve got to be at this time of year.” Izzo said on Mlive.com