Michigan State Basketball: How important is Spartans’ new No. 1 ranking?
By Ian Olsen
Michigan State basketball is the new No. 1 team in college basketball, but just how important is that ranking for the Spartans?
Tom Izzo acknowledges, values, and welcomes lofty expectations. And becoming No. 1 signifies that the team has gained the consensus of being the at the top, demanding from voters the uppermost praise.
Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 most memorable moments of 2017
Some resent a regular season No. 1 ranking, fearing it evokes every opponent’s strongest effort. But this gives the team a chance to beat opponents at their best. And akin to Izzo’s philosophy of facing elite opponents in preconference play, the more motivated opponents will be better prepares the Spartans for the NCAA Tournament.
Preseason polls may be meaningless. But 15 games into the season, Michigan State has merited the top spot with decisive wins and dominant play. Everyone knows who No. 1 is. The No. 1 team gains the most media publicity and public attention. The longer the team stays No. 1, the more respect the program earns and recruiting efforts improve.
Rankings are subjective but meaningful. They comprise much of the current and historical sports conversation. Often highlighted are historical rankings, win-loss records as a highly ranked team, records against top teams, and so forth. Statistics concerning No. 1 teams are especially highlighted. Every win at No. 1 grows the program’s footprint on college basketball.
The feeblest cliché expressed by those pretending not to care is, “We want to be No. 1 at the end of the season, not the beginning.” But if the team falls short, would a Final Four appearance mean as little as a one-and-done? To the Spartan whose lone determinant of success is a No. 1 finish, the last 17 seasons were wasted.
Next: MSU Football: 5 most memorable moments of 2017
Considering this team’s potential, finishing short of No. 1 would bring a level of disappointment. But most seasons don’t end in a national championship, and that doesn’t mean there aren’t other accomplishments to be made. Valuing the No. 1 ranking and the challenge of handling the accompanying expectations boosts the program and enlivens the season.