MSU Soars in Latest AP Poll Following 'Monstrous' Week

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Michigan State is beginning to assert itself as one of the best teams in the country. The Spartans just wrapped up what may be their most impressive victory of the season, taking down then-No. 8 Purdue on the road on Thursday, 76-74, and then led wire-to-wire against Indiana on the road Sunday in a 77-64 win there. MSU now suddenly sits at 24-5 on the season with a 14-4 record during Big Ten play. When the AP Poll was officially updated on Monday afternoon, Michigan State shot up five spots, going from 13th in the country to No. 8.

Why it matters

This is the second-best ranking the Spartans have had all season, just behind when they were ranked seventh on Jan. 26. MSU is also now the second-highest-ranked team in the Big Ten, only behind No. 3 Michigan --- those teams will face off on Sunday, March 8 in Ann Arbor. The push for March from Michigan State feels pretty real.

The details

MSU was largely projected to end up being a 4 seed in March Madness prior to its game in West Lafayette. After upsetting the Boilermakers and out-dueling the Hoosiers and picking up two more Quad 1 wins to its resume, the possibility of the Spartans landing a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament almost feels probable. Winning the game against Rutgers on Thursday night would also clinch a top-4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, which would take Michigan State straight to the quarterfinal round.

• On Thursday, MSU took down then-No. 8 Purdue on the road, 76-74.
• On Sunday, MSU led wire-to-wire against Indiana on the road in a 77-64 win.
• On Monday afternoon, MSU shot up five spots in the AP Poll, going from 13th to No. 8.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The key now is to maintain that status as a top-8 team in the country. There is work ahead of MSU before it can feel good about that chance headed into Selection Sunday. It starts with the Spartans' Senior Night game against Rutgers on Thursday night.