Columbus, Ohio - Tired of riding the NCAA Tournament bubble, the Spartans knew a road win at Ohio State on Saturday would nearly solidify their postseason hopes.
So they took care of business.
They defeated the Buckeyes 72-58 at Value City Arena and now look ahead to the Big Ten Tournament - and beyond.
"I do believe we deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament right now," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said, following the regular season-ending victory. "If you look at this team in the last month or month and a half, we have found ways to win games instead of losing games."
Sophomore guard Chris Hill, who led the Spartans (18-11 overall, 10-6 Big Ten) with 20 points Saturday, said the team is confident approaching postseason play.
"We didn't feel this was a must-win game, but we knew a win would help us out a lot," Hill said. "Our goal, after losing to Syracuse, was to win our last four games. And after winning the first three, there was no reason not to go for four."
After a 60-58 loss to Michigan in January dropped MSU's record to 10-8 overall and 2-4 in the conference, the team reversed its fortunes, winning eight of its last 10 conference games.
The hot streak elevated the Spartans from the depths of the conference into a three-way tie for third place.
The resurgence forced Big Ten coaches to ponder whether the team ranked No. 9 in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 poll has reached its early billing.
"We played against a superior team," Buckeye head coach Jim O'Brien said after Saturday's game. "I think Michigan State might be the best team in the league. I don't care how this whole thing got played out, but the way they've got it going now - with their numbers, their athleticism, their size, their bulk, their depth - they're a very, very good team."
Before the Spartans begin thinking about the Big Dance there is still a chance they might not even receive an invitation. To make sure they hear their team name called on Selection Sunday, the Spartans can build on their recent hot streak in the conference tournament.
After the final Big Ten standings were sorted out, the Spartans became the fifth seed in the conference tournament. Their opponent is fourth-seeded Purdue (18-9). The teams split their two regular-season meetings with the home team winning each game.
Izzo said this year's conference tournament is more unpredictable than any of the past five.
"I think it's going to be more wide-open than the NCAA Tournament, even though there's fewer teams," Izzo said. "I don't think the 1, 2, 3 and 4 seeds are (all) going to end up playing very long. There are going to be some upsets early. It's going to be as wild as it's been in the years they've had it."
