WolverineHistorian

February 26th, 2015 at 9:59 PM ^

I think they're in regardless of the less than impressive resume.  Several years back, I remember two different seasons where MSU had 8-8 finishes in conference and no other highly ranked victories but they went to the tourney both times.  They got bounced opening weekend both years but I assumed they got the invite because of Izzo. 

Their best victory this year is over OSU, although it was a win at the buzzer and OSU is no longer ranked. 

Stringer Bell

February 26th, 2015 at 10:06 PM ^

Their best wins are Indiana (RPI 37) and Ohio State (RPI 42).  Meanwhile they have losses to Nebraska (RPI 130), Texas Southern (RPI 154) and now Minnesota (RPI 98).  That's very few quality wins and a fair amount of bad losses.  If they lose @Wisconsin and @IU as expected, then not even all of the slurping Izzo gets from the media will save them.

Geaux_Blue

February 26th, 2015 at 10:21 PM ^

Minnesota is definitely not a quality loss (6-10) and MSU now sits at 10-5. OSU will likely pass them, as will Indiana with a Win, putting them at 7, maybe 8 if Iowa wins a few. Being in the middle of this B1G conference, as in this year, might freeze them out. It would also put them as losing 3 of their last 5 or 6, which the committee seems to care a lot about. 

 

They'll need to make a run in the B1G if they drop Wisconsin and Indiana. And as noted, Purdue is 10-4 this year and is no gimme. They're currently rage punching Rutgers into a the court.

BuckNekked

February 27th, 2015 at 7:01 AM ^

Thats the attitude a Sparty has. Michigan losing is as important as Staee winning. Maybe even moreso. I couldnt care less what MSU does when not playing Michigan.

BuckNekked

February 27th, 2015 at 7:01 AM ^

Thats the attitude a Sparty has. Michigan losing is as important as Staee winning. Maybe even moreso. I couldnt care less what MSU does when not playing Michigan.

Muttley

February 26th, 2015 at 10:22 PM ^

In fact, ifffffff we somehow manage to beat Maryland, I may end up being a Sparty fan vs IU hoping that a 10-8 Michigan can over take a 9-9 Indiana for the 7th seed, which wouldn't face the #1 seed (Wiscy) until the Finals.

I know, it's a long shot, but if we can somehow pull off the huge upset at Maryland, closing out with victories over Rutgers (home) and Northwestern (away) is doable.  And Indiana would have to lose their last two games, both at home vs Iowa and MSU.  Possible.  And we'd have to be in front of Illinois--presently tied w/ Michigan at 7-8--which has two likely wins at home (vs NW & Neb) and one likely road loss (@ Purdue) left.  Or win the tie-breaker against the Illini if they also win out.