It’s clear none of those teams will be making a deep run in March, but there is something about this stretch of games that isn’t obvious. It might not seem like it, but this could be the most important week for MSU in their chase for the Big Ten title.

When MSU ends this three-game stretch, they will head to Ann Arbor for a showdown against Michigan that could swing the Big Ten race one way or the other. Both teams are sitting on top of the Big Ten ladder with only two losses, but there is one glaring difference.

The Spartans will be grinding it out for three games before the Feb. 23 meeting against the Wolverines. What will Michigan be doing? Playing one game, against No. 21 Wisconsin. If MSU slips once, the rival showdown could become an uphill battle for the Spartans — who would be trying to tie up the conference rather than take a lead.

So back to the upcoming three opponents for the Spartans.

Ever looked at an old-time painting depicting a battle in the midst of a war? Sometimes you look at the picture and you’re not sure who is killing who, but in the mess of all of it, you still know there is a battle. That’s what the Big Ten has become this season. It goes without saying MSU shouldn’t take Northwestern, Nebraska or Purdue lightly.

Northwestern has beaten Indiana and Wisconsin, both on the road. Nebraska has beaten Indiana and Ohio State, as well as winning three of its last four contests. Purdue isn’t having the greatest year, but playing on their home floor is playing in front of an angry mob.

Winning all three games would keep MSU as the favorite to win the Big Ten, but they have to do it without Branden Dawson and Keith Appling. The injury bug loves throwing challenges at MSU, and rattling off three wins this week would prove how deep the Spartans can be against a tough stretch of teams.

Granted, they are expecting to get Dawson and Appling back in the lineup. By then, MSU will be looking to put the final pieces of the Big Ten title puzzle in place against Iowa and Ohio State in the final week of the season. Win these next three games, and MSU buys insurance for the last games before tournament time rolls around.

And just like MSU, the Wolverines have a tricky plate of games. U-M has a favorable schedule, with its only ranked opponent being Wisconsin. Again, the Big Ten can be one giant dog fight, so you never know what team will jump up to bite them when they’re not looking.

From the looks of it, either team could go undefeated from here on out, but that is a lot easier said than done.

If I was a betting man, I would say with seven games left for MSU and six for U-M, a three-loss team will win the Big Ten. Both teams falling to four losses before the season ends is a real possibility too, and which MSU fan wants to share that with U-M?

I don’t see anyone raising their hands.

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