MSU began the season unranked but has surged into a near-certain No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament after winning 21 of its last 24 games, including seven straight to close the regular season.

MSU swept Michigan for the second straight season, claiming two of its final seven wins against its in-state rival.

Before the Big Ten Tournament, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo said Oregon is maybe "one of the hottest teams right now in the league." Like MSU, the Ducks won its last seven games of the season and eighth including its first round win over Indiana.

The last time Oregon and MSU played, the Spartans were saved by freshman guard Jase Richardson, who had a standout performance with 29 points, five rebounds and zero turnovers. It was his first start of the season and the beginning of his undisputed explosive season. Richardson capped off his season with three straight Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. 

Izzo believes this year’s tournament is wide open, where no win or loss qualifies as a true upset.

"I don’t think these would be considered upsets anymore," Izzo said. "To me, top to bottom, this might be one of the best tournaments that I’ve been involved with."

Izzo, now 70, earned his 11th Big Ten Coach of the Year award — the oldest recipient ever and the longest gap between wins, with his last coming in 2011-12.

For MSU to win, rebounding, transition play and free throws will be crucial. In their last matchup — an 86-74 comeback win after trailing by 14 — the Spartans outrebounded Oregon by 13 and made eight more free throws.

MSU’s depth gives it an advantage in rotations and matchups. Oregon relies on Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle, but the Spartans contained Bittle in their previous meeting. That win marked Izzo’s 353rd Big Ten victory, a testament to MSU’s chemistry and resilience.

"I think we’ve got some good ammo. (Oregon) could have beaten us," Izzo said. "Spending time with players pays dividends. You get to know them better. You get to understand them better. They get to know you better. They get to understand you better."

This deeper understanding will also be utilized for March Madness. It’s unknown when and where MSU will play in the first round of the tournament, but with a No. 2 seed almost confirmed, the Spartans have a greater chance of going further into the tournament than last season, where MSU lost to UNC in the second round, and where Izzo said he and his team will be back and make it further, or he is going to "die trying."

MSU and Oregon tip off at noon on Friday, March 14, live on Big Ten Network.