Every season since 1997, Michigan State basketball has made the NCAA tournament. Often, they coasted through the big ten season, because they have been here before, and know that they get graded by what they do in the post season. They acted like they have been there before, and got it done when it mattered most.
Heading into the season, the Spartans looked like they had all the pieces for a magical season. They came into the year ranked No. 2 in the country and we all bought into the hype. By now we thought they would have one or two losses at the most, would be in a battle with Purdue and Ohio State for the Big Ten crown, and would have a realistic shot at a top seed come March.
Instead, we are looking at a 12-8 team that barely squeaked past Chaminade, Northwestern and Oakland.
Add to that the dismissal of Korie Lucius from the team, and all of the sudden East Lansing is looking more like a Michigan team from the last decade.
Recent history shows us that the regular season doesn't necessarily offer a true view of the quality of Izzo's teams. Just about every time we think they are due for an early postseason exit, they win at least a couple of games in the Big Dance. This year feels different.
A few more bad losses, and we won't be asking how far MSU will go in the tournament -- we'll be asking whether they will make the tournament.
This team was supposed to be head and shoulders better than the team that made the finals last year but they flat out aren’t. They lack the toughness that was a staple of Izzo led teams.
Every team goes through the ups and downs of a long season, but it seemed like Izzo had built a program that even in a down year could be expected to make a run at the Sweet 16. Time may prove that the recent problems with the squad both on and off the court are just a speed bump, and Izzo will have the Spartans right back in the thick of things come March.
For the first time in a long time, I don't believe it.
I covered Kalin Lucas at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and his senior year he told me he couldn’t wait to get to Michigan State and make history. I’m not so sure if this is the type of history he was talking about.
This far into the season, being 12-8 and on the bubble of the NCAA tournament, Michigan State can’t act like they have been here before, because they haven’t; at least not since the middle of Bill Clinton’s second term.
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