Michigan State Basketball: 5 most memorable moments of 2017 season
The 2017 calendar year is coming to a close and it’s time to look back at the most memorable moments of Michigan State basketball.
It’s been a great season for Michigan State basketball and there may be a ton of moments to look back at enjoy, but there are a distinct few which stand out above the rest.
Heck, we don’t have to stick to the 2017-18 season, which is just two months young, but rather we can go back and check out the best moments from the calendar year. Yes, that means the season in which the Spartans were able to squeak into the NCAA Tournament with four elite freshman leading the way and just one healthy big.
Let’s take a look at the most memorable moments from Michigan State’s 2017 calendar year on the hardwood. Can you guess what No. 1 is?
5. Wisconsin win to essentially clinch NCAA tourney berth
This was a tough one to choose as the Michigan win earlier in the 2016-17 season was also a gem for this Michigan State team, as was the Miami victory in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. However, the victory over Wisconsin at home on Senior Day was essentially what sealed the tourney berth for Tom Izzo and the rest of the Spartans.
Michigan State had been a bubble team for most of the year and the win over No. 16 Wisconsin in East Lansing improved the Spartans to 18-11 on the season and made road games against Illinois and Maryland a little less pressure-filled.
Fortunately, the Spartans were able to get into the tournament, keeping the lengthy streak alive, despite losing those two regular season games on the road to close the year. A 27-point win over Penn State likely officially sealed the deal, but Michigan State didn’t have to sweat much after that Wisconsin win.