No. 13 to No. 8: Michigan State Surges in AP Poll After Statement Week in Indiana

The Spartans entered the week ranked No. 13 in the country with two massive battles looming. By the time the dust settled in the state of Indiana, Michigan State had done more than just survive — they had made a statement.

After bobbing and weaving their way to a gritty two-point victory over Purdue, the Spartans remained in Indiana and handled the Indiana to cap off a defining week in the second-to-last stretch of the regular season. The result? A five-spot jump in the AP Poll, climbing from No. 13 to No. 8 nationally.

Now, with momentum building, two more critical tests stand between Michigan State and the postseason.

On Thursday, the Spartans will play their final home game of the regular season, welcoming the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to the Breslin Center. The first meeting between these two teams in New Jersey needed overtime to decide a winner. Michigan State hit a game-tying three-pointer as time expired in regulation before taking control in the extra period to secure the win.

Expect another battle.

After that, it’s a familiar foe to close out the regular season. Back in January, the Spartans squared off with the Michigan Wolverines at home. This time, the rivalry shifts to Ann Arbor, where the two teams will wrap up the regular season and officially turn their focus toward the Big Ten Tournament — and beyond.

Speaking of the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan State currently sits comfortably as the No. 3 seed. That positioning is crucial.

The top four teams in the conference earn the coveted triple bye — a massive advantage that allows those programs extra rest and preparation time before a grueling postseason stretch. That recovery window can make all the difference in March.

Right now, Michigan leads the conference at 17-1 and has already locked up the regular-season title. Nebraska and Michigan State both sit at 14-4, but the Cornhuskers hold the tiebreaker over the Spartans due to an earlier head-to-head win. That places Nebraska at No. 2 and Michigan State at No. 3. Illinois follows at 13-5, while Purdue and Wisconsin are tied at 12-6 in the fifth and sixth spots.

That context makes the win at Mackey Arena even more significant.

Yes, it snapped a 12-year drought for Tom Izzo and the Spartans at Purdue’s home floor. Yes, it silenced critics who questioned Michigan State’s ability to win tough road games. But more importantly, it positioned the Spartans to control their own destiny in the race for a top-four seed. The winner of that Purdue-Michigan State matchup was setting itself up for March success — and it was the Spartans who delivered.

At the heart of it all is Jeremy Fears — the engine that makes this team go.

Fears enters the final week of the regular season averaging 15.1 points per game, leading the team and ranking 16th in the Big Ten. But while he’s more than capable of filling up the scoring column, his passing ability is what truly separates him.

Fears leads the nation with 9.1 assists per game and has already tallied 264 assists this season. That total is currently tied for sixth-most in a single season in Big Ten history.

Here’s who he’s chasing:

These totals include Big Ten and NCAA Tournament games. Fears is guaranteed at least four more games — two regular-season contests, at least one in the Big Ten Tournament, and at least one in the NCAA Tournament. He sits 50 assists away from the all-time single-season mark, making this one of the more intriguing individual storylines to monitor down the stretch.

As dominant as Fears has been, Michigan State is far from a one-man team.

Jaxon Kohler — affectionately known as the “Kohler Bear” — is coming off a 21-point outburst against Indiana. He averages 12.9 points per game (second on the team) and 9.1 rebounds per game, which leads the team. His ability to stretch the floor with improved three-point shooting has added a new dimension to the Spartans’ offense.

Alongside him, Carson Cooper continues to provide a strong presence in the paint. Cooper recently set a career high in points against Purdue and ranks among the Big Ten’s top rebounders, averaging 7.2 boards per game. The interior tandem gives Michigan State the physicality needed for postseason basketball.

Michigan State looks poised for a March run. However, before any tournament dreams can fully take shape, the Spartans must finish the regular season strong.

Now ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll, they’ve put themselves in prime position. The opportunity is there — a triple bye within reach, history on the line for their floor general, and momentum building at exactly the right time.

All that’s left is to finish the job.