Welcome back to the bandwagon boys and girls. We missed you.

For the sixth time in eight years, the MSU men have earned a trip to the Sweet 16.

In fact, the bandwagon is slowly getting filled up. After a year of people hopping on and off, people are on to stay, at least until your beloved Spartans lose.

You haven't jumped off it, you say? You've been here the whole time?

Well, that's funny. I didn't hear you step up and support this squad when talk radio and select newspaper columnists ripped into the team.

Too weak, they said. No star players. They can't hit big shots. They choke down the stretch.

The list goes on.

And you didn't say a thing. In fact, you mostly agreed. You heard their silly "expert" babble and slowly accepted it as truth. Perhaps even the players allowed themselves to believe it.

Did anyone realize this team is 24-6? And did you hear me when I said the Spartans are in the Sweet 16 for the sixth time in eight years?

Well, they are. And although you might hate to admit it, this team has been quite consistent although everyone rips into them for being inconsistent around. The Spartans played 13 games against tournament teams throughout the season and won eight of them. They finished second in a tough Big Ten Conference.

And yet their losses were exploited.

But now - now - people are happy.

We have athletes on our teams, they say. Those Spartans are a quiet force to be reckoned with.

Well, hey guys, thanks for joining us.

Suddenly, two wins later, everybody has MSU in their Final Fours, even though they are nowhere to be seen past the first round on anybody's original brackets .

Now, on the shoulders of Drew "Wildman" Naymick and his one dunk and four fouls per game average, MSU is riding high.

A week ago, freshman guard Drew Neitzel was just that, a freshman guard - too young, not enough experience.

These days he's an experienced, confident guard who is really coming into his own.

Not long ago, Chris Hill and Kelvin Torbert were unreliable, inconsistent and walking down the path to destruction.

These days they are the glue that holds this team together.

Oh, how a game or two can change the mindset around town.

So I reckon that come next week, win or lose, the Spartans' wagon will be changing weight.

But that's the way it is, I suppose.

We will either be picking up some new members or just as quickly losing a lot of them.

And now we got those darn Dukies again. The first time 'round, the Spartans lost, 81-74, missing 3-for-8 from the free-throw line down the stretch. Last time, Daniel (don't call me Patrick) Ewing and J.J. Redneck scorched the Spartans for 58 points.

And you are thinking it could very well be a short-lived stay for the Spartans in the tournament and for you on their bandwagon.

Well, don't think so fast.

Vermont's surprising backcourt teamed with Taylor Coppenrath gave MSU a little preview of what Fluke is bringing to the table.

And did you realize MSU head coach Tom Izzo's tournament winning percentage is second only to Puke's Mike Krzyzewski among active coaches?

CBS analyst Clark Kellogg and ESPN analyst Jay Bilas have both jumped on the bandwagon. Kellogg threw MSU into his revamped Final Four after seeing the first round play out, and Bilas - a Duke grad himself - is saying that MSU has what it takes to upend the Dukies.

People are starting to talk about the little Spartans that could, and I promise you that this time the Spartans won't disappoint.

So although we would have liked to have you with us the whole time, I suppose it is good just to have you.

Welcome to the bandwagon. Glad to have you on board.

Chris Meagher is the State News sports administration reporter. He's and can't wait to see Duke sent home singin' the blues. He can be reached at meagher3@msu.edu.