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Michigan State back on track for Final Four run

Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine loses control of the ball after slipping on the court as Michigan guard Aubrey Dawkins closes in during the second half of Saturday's game in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Spartans won 89-73. Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine loses control of the ball after slipping on the court as Michigan guard Aubrey Dawkins closes in during the second half of Saturday's game in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Spartans won 89-73.

By Mark Wiedmer February 9, 2016 6 min read

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

› Record: 20-4 (7-4 in Big Ten)› AP Ranking/RPI: 8/16› Best win: 79-73 over then-No. 4 Kansas› Worst loss: 72-71 at home to Nebraska› Best player: Senior wing Denzel Valentine, who has made 44 percent of his 3-point attempts and 83 percent of his free throws while collecting an average of 7.9 rebounds per game and a team-best 18.6 points. He’s also the only Spartan to play more than 27 minutes a game, which says all you need to know about what Michigan State coach Tom Izzo thinks of him.› Biggest weakness: It’s picky, but State turns the ball over an average of three more times per game — 12.3 to 9.3 — than its opponents. A matchup against an aggressive defensive team such as Duke, Kansas or Xavier could potentially cause problems for the Spartans.› Can be hoopin’ in Houston if: Whatever caused this team to lose three straight in January — a stretch that included a stunning home loss to Nebraska — doesn’t return in March. The Spartans have talent, experience, depth and a coach who has been to seven previous Final Fours, including last season’s surprising run. It’s still February, but Sparty appears to be on a slow peak to hit his apex in late March.› Coachspeak: “Michigan State beat us in every facet. Once (Denzel) Valentine gets back in and gets some minutes, that is a scary team. They do exactly what Coach Izzo wants them to do. That is a big-time team right there.” —Penn State coach Patrick Chambers after a 92-65 home loss to the Spartans with State’s Valentine in street clothes because of injury.

Road to Final Four series

* Indiana suddenly good enough to win it all * Nothing silly about a Virginia run to Final Four * Buddy system could make Oklahoma an NCAA champion * Can No. 1 Villanova finish season as Top Cats? * Michigan State back on track for Final Four run * Texas A&M could become a March monster * Tar Heels good enough to win Williams his third NCAA title * Kansas once more has Final Four look in January

It was Jan. 20, and Michigan State – the No. 1 men’s college basketball team in the country not three weeks earlier – had just lost its third straight game. And this one had come at home to unsung Nebraska.

Searching for the proper words to calm a frustrated fan base and shaken team, Spartans coach Tom Izzo spoke calmly.

“I haven’t lost the team. Haven’t lost the locker room,” he said. “Nobody is upset about this and that, we’ve just got to get more guys playing a little bit better and maybe a little bit smarter.”