COLUMN: Anybody can fall victim to March and it is a mere setback for MSU

There is a particular notion about sports that I’ve come to vehemently believe in - chaos is king.

MSU men's basketball dream season is over, but future looks bright

When Michigan State took the floor Friday afternoon in St. Louis, nobody could have anticipated what would unfold over the next two hours, as the No. 2-seeded MSU Spartans fell to No. 15 seed Middle Tennessee State University in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, 90-81. 

Denzel Valentine named one of four finalists for Naismith Trophy

Despite MSU falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Middle Tennessee, it was announced Sunday that senior guard Denzel Valentine is one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy.  The Naismith Trophy has been awarded to the best player in college basketball each season since 1969.

MSU head coach Tom Izzo sad his seniors' career ended this way

There were five seconds left in No. 2 seed MSU’s shocking first round loss to the No. 15 seed Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. And it was then MSU’s three senior stars -- Denzel Valentine, Matt Costello and Bryn Forbes -- checked out of a game and walked off a basketball floor in an MSU jersey for the last time. It was really over. It had actually just happened. Middle Tennessee had knocked off MSU, 90-81, in one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history. Then, fifteen minutes after the final buzzer sounded, those same three visibly emotional players wiped away tears and walked with their arms around each other to face the media at a post game press conference. This is the way all their careers had come to an end -- 112 victories, a Sweet Sixteen, an Elite Eight, a Final Four and two Big Ten Tournament Championships later, they were done. “I can’t believe what’s going on,” Costello said.

HALFTIME: MSU trails Middle Tennessee, 41-35

The Blue Raiders stormed out of the gates early, using hot shooting to take a quick 15-2 lead at the 15:29 mark of the first half.

MSU and the NCAA Tournament by the numbers

MSU has an illustrious NCAA Tournament history that spans nearly six decades. The Spartans are making their 30th all-time tournament appearance in 2016, with 24 of those coming since 1990.

MSU shocked by Middle Tennessee in first round of NCAA Tournament

The No. 2 seed MSU men's basketball team  The Blue Raiders stormed out of the gates early, using hot shooting to take a quick 15-2 lead at the 15:29 mark of the first half.

MSU's best NCAA Tournament runs under Tom Izzo

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MSU's Marvin Clark Jr. happy to be playing NCAA Tournament close to home

Shortly after the brackets for the 2016 NCAA Tournament were announced, it became evident No. 2 MSU would be headed to St.

MSU's Eron Harris finally gets a shot at playing in NCAA Tournament

This is what junior guard Eron Harris has been waiting for ever since transferring to MSU after a 2013-14 season which saw him lead West Virginia in scoring.

Video: men's basketball reporters preview MSU's NCAA Tournament

No. 2 MSU men's basketball is set to play No. 15 Middle Tennessee Friday at 2:45 p.m. Check out our men's basketball reporters' breakdown of the Tournament here.

A tour of the NCAA Tournament Midwest region

MSU basketball's second unit is rounding into form at just the right time

For the past few weeks, it's been MSU's second unit of guys stepping up and giving the Spartans a boost, as was the case in the MSU's Big Ten Tournament championship run.

MSU men's basketball has defense clicking on all cylinders

While much has been made this season of the phenomenal scoring and offensive numbers MSU has consistently put up throughout the season, the team also had tremendous success on the defensive end at times this year.

Former Spartan Mateen Cleaves charged with sexual assault

A warrant for the arrest of former MSU basketball star Mateen Cleaves was issued Tuesday for alleged sexual assault claims that happened in October 2015, in Genesee County, Michigan.

Five things to know about Middle Tennessee State, MSU's NCAA Tournament first-round opponent

After failing to earn a No. 1 seed, No. 2-seeded MSU is set to take on the No. 15 seed, the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (24-9, 13-5 C-USA).

Colby Wollenman gives MSU memorable performance in Big Ten title game

MSU senior forward Colby Wollenman was up against a wall. Literally. Actually, check that.

MSU men's basketball captures Big Ten title, but 'Not done yet'

Coming into the 2016 Big Ten Tournament, the MSU men’s basketball team (29-5) felt they had something to prove.

MSU doesn't plan on losing any sleep over No. 1 seed snub

No. 2 MSU came into the Big Ten tournament championship game Sunday with speculation that a win could earn MSU a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, especially with both Villanova and Virginia losing Saturday night in their conference championship games.

Final: No. 2 MSU holds on to beat Purdue to win Big Ten Tournament Championship

No.2 MSU beat No.13 Purdue 66-62 to win the Big Ten Tournament Championship for the second time in three years. MSU was led in the first half by senior guard Denzel Valentine with 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.