With No. 8 MSU’s 77-62 victory against Michigan on Sunday, the Spartans equaled the best 20-game start in school history, matching Izzo’s 2000-01 team, which went to the Final Four. The team’s 18-2 record is better than the start of the 1999-2000 national championship team.

“(The best start in school history) would mean a lot because of these guys,” Izzo said. “You’re always looking for something a class accomplishes and I know we’re looking for a Final Four and league championship, but I always look for something for someone to hang his hat on when he leaves here … the best start in school history is pretty good.”

With one more consecutive victory, this year’s team will own the best start in 109 years of MSU basketball. What lies in its way, however, is Illinois – the same school that prevented the 2000-01 team from a 19-2 record.

The main difference: This year’s Illinois team, which defeated Northwestern 70-37 on Sunday, is 10-11 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten. And the game is home for the Spartans, who haven’t been defeated at Breslin Center this season.

“I’m not a superstitious guy to worry about that,” Izzo said.

He’s baaaaack

It appears to be time to silence all Drew Neitzel naysayers.

The senior guard, who was chosen as the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, was named Big Ten Player of the Week after MSU defeated Northwestern and U-M this week.

Neitzel averaged fewer than eight points in his first three Big Ten contests, but averaged 19 points, six assists and four rebounds in the team’s last two games.

“Maybe I was playing for other reasons or to please other people rather than to please myself and coach Izzo and this team – the real reasons I should be playing,” Neitzel said. “I’m just back out there having fun and playing the way I have to.”

Neitzel’s 4.8 assists per game ranks him second in the Big Ten and his 3.43:1 assist-turnover ratio is second best in the nation.

“I thought there was pressure to score a lot of points and to not have bad games,” Neitzel said. “Teams have been playing me different, so it’s going to be a different kind of year. I’ve put that past me and I’m just trying to get better.”

The sky’s the limit

With the continued and consistent success of freshman guard Kalin Lucas, the respect Izzo has for his young talent and the expectations for Lucas continue to grow.

“It’s been a while since a freshman has played at this level as consistently,” Izzo said. “I don’t think he’s afraid to take over a game. He’s fearless in nature.”

In the nine games since the Texas contest on Dec. 22, Lucas has been averaging 13.2 points and 4.2 assists per game.

“He’s confident in his game like Mateen (Cleaves),” Izzo said. “I’m getting a comfort level with him where he’s going to be the leader on the floor. Mateen was so strong, and quickness-wise (some of the best MSU players have been) Thomas Kelly, Charlie Bell and Eric Snow. What Kalin has is both — he doesn’t back down.”

As freshmen, Cleaves and Bell averaged 10.2 and 9.2 points per game, respectively. Cleaves averaged five assists per game during his freshman campaign.