Cheer up Spartan Fans!

Ranked #2 in the nation to begin the season, Michigan State's season has been disappointing, disappointing being an understatement.  Currently sporting a 14-11 overall record, and a 6-7 clip in Big Ten play, the Spartans have slipped into unfamiliar territory and are in danger of missing the NCAA tournament.  Losses to traditional Big Ten bottom-feeders such as Michigan and Iowa were unacceptable, but besides that the Spartans have played a very strong schedule this year.  Lets take a look at the teams Michigan State has lost to this season and their rankings:

Michigan State Spartans
14-11 (6-7) RPI = 46  SOS = 5

   Date        Opponent         Score         Ranking  
11/23          UConn            70-67         #13
12/1             Duke              84-79         #5
12/7           Syracuse           72-58        #17
12/22           Texas             67-55         #3
1/8              Penn St.           66-62        N/R
1/18             Illinois             71-62         N/R
1/22             Purdue            86-76        #11
1/27            Michigan          61-57        N/R
2/2                Iowa              72-52        N/R
2/6              Wisconsin        82-56        #10
2/15            Ohio St            71-61        #2

Clearly Michigan State has played against many tough opponents, and can flaunt a win against #10 Wisconsin to the NCAA tourney committee as a quality win.  In most years, a team with a 14-11 record would have little chance to make the NCAA tournament, however, this year the bubble is very weak.  The addition of three more teams to the tournament is a boon to teams looking for at large bids.  These bids seem to be up for grabs for middle-feeders of the top conferences like the Big Ten, Big East, Big 12, ACC.  Play-in games now exist for seeds other then #16, a huge bonus for Michigan State.  The remaining schedule for the Spartans is shown below, along with my predictions for each game:

Date    Opponent   W/L
2/19    vs. Illinois     W  - The Illini are reeling and Demetri McCamey is struggling, Spartans win this one
2/22   @ Minnesota L  -  A balanced Gophers team exacts revenge from Decembers matchup @ the Bres
2/27    vs. Purdue    L - State cant handle an elite Purdue team looking to solidify a strong NCAA seed
3/2      vs. Iowa       W - Spartans crush an Iowa team that they played their worst game of the year against
3/5     @ Michigan  W  - State beats a tough Michigan team on the road to give it hope for an NCAA tournament birth.

Final Record: 17-13 (8-8)

An NCAA birth will hinge on Michigan State's success in the Big Ten Tournament.  If Michigan St can make it to the final of the Big Ten Tournament, I am certain they will lock up an NCAA birth. Semifinals? Most likely?  Quarterfinals? Don't count on it.  However, this Michigan State team seems to have the resolve to win when it matters most, as State has performed quite well in it's overtime games earlier this season.  Expect to see Kalin Lucas and the Spartans making noise in the month of March again this year, even if it won't be at the Final Four like many expected.