Michigan State basketball: Does this team have a late-season run left in it?

After starting the season 12-4 with a solid 4-1 mark in Big Ten play, it felt like Michigan State basketball was going to contend for a conference title.

The Spartans were on a seven-game winning streak and hadn’t looked bad at all in the month of January leading up to the Illinois game. Then the Illini took advantage of a Malik Hall injury in the second half and stormed back from nine down to pick up a big win. Still, Michigan State looked really good for 30 minutes.

And then the Spartans lost a one-point home game to Purdue. They should have come away with a win, but defense on the final possession was lacking on Zach Edey.

Then the Spartans beat Rutgers by 13, lost to Indiana by 13, and beat Iowa before losing to Purdue and Rutgers in back-to-back games to drop five out of seven.

A promising start to the season with serious Big Ten aspirations turned sour in a month’s time.

Does Michigan State basketball have a run left in it?

That seven-game winning streak prior to the Illinois game felt like the hot streak that would lead the Spartans through Big Ten play and close to a conference title. But it just couldn’t be extended.

Since the losses to Illinois and Purdue, Michigan State hasn’t quite looked the same. Sure, there was that convincing win over Rutgers, but the Spartans struggled against Iowa, were walloped by Purdue, let a win slip away against Rutgers, and nearly blew a 15-point lead at home against Maryland. Does this team really have a run left in it?

Judging by the amount of talent on the roster (obviously no depth) and the leadership, I’m going to say yes. When this team plays to its potential, it’s one of the best not only in the Big Ten, but in the nation — just ask Gonzaga, Alabama, and Kentucky.

The Spartans have another run in them with the schedule easing up and defense playing at a really high level. Now, if the offense can get on track, the Spartans will be very good.

Michigan State has a huge opportunity in front of it and Tom Izzo is the perfect coach to motivate these guys to reach their potential. March is approaching, after all.