There was heavy debate that MSU was the nation’s best team.

The Spartans had it all – experience, talent and a great coach.

But to begin the season, they started as No. 2 and had to prove themselves worthy if they wanted that top ranking one day.

What do all five ESPN college basketball analysts, four CBS Sports analysts and the president of the United States all have in common? They all picked MSU to win the NCAA Tournament – crowning them as the nation’s best team.

But to start the tournament, they were named as a No. 4 seed, but that didn’t stop odds makers to have MSU as the second-likeliest team to win the banner.

Everything was going as planned in MSU’s quest for the top ranking. They plowed through Kentucky, smashed nonconference opponents and played with a smoothness only rivaled by velvet.

This team had what it takes to be No. 1.

Against No. 12 seed Harvard, everything was clicking for the green and white. Junior forward Branden Dawson was on his game, sophomore guard Gary Harris was filling the hoop and MSU simply looked like a team that could win it all.

It passed the eye test as the No. 1 team in the nation.

The Spartans are 18-1, and life couldn’t be better in East Lansing.

Until the moment the media is called in for a surprise press conference. No one knows what news will come, until Dawson walks through the doors to announce his hand is broken.

The cornerstone of MSU’s defense and rebounding game – gone.

MSU’s up 16 in the second half.

Now 10. Now 5.

What the heck?

Harvard just took a one-point lead? Dawson only scored six points in the second half after scoring 20 in the first?

It’s time for someone to step up and take the reins for MSU. After all, Dawson can’t be the reason the team falls apart.

Sophomore guard Denzel Valentine stepped up huge against Iowa with 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting.

Junior guard Travis Trice and Harris combined for 10 3-pointers in a record-setting game against Purdue.

Senior forward Adreian Payne scored 24 against Wisconsin in a game that was lost on a buzzer beater.

It’s not pretty, but MSU is managing to move through the season with help.

All right, MSU is down one and someone needs to be the hero. Dawson can’t duplicate that first half performance, after all.

Trice buried a 3-pointer to give MSU a 63-62 lead. Payne knocked down two free throws after that.

Harris rose to the occasion and hit a huge 3-pointer to take a 6-point lead.

Valentine gave Spartan fans a sigh of relief after he nailed a 3-ball to take a 71-63 lead with four minutes left.

It was ugly, but the Spartans found help from a list of players to move to victory.

The team is back and healthy heading deeper into the postseason. Let’s see if this team can prove it is among the best.

MSU is on to the Sweet 16, and it’s looking like it can make another charge in March. Time to see if they will be cutting down anymore nets the rest of the season.

Matt Sheehan is a State News basketball reporter. Reach him at msheehan@statenews.com.