Watching Michigan State basketball over the years, it's obvious this is one of the premier programs with one of the most passionate fanbases in the country.
Each home game provides a challenging and hostile environment for opposing teams, and the program's success has not only matched the passion but amplified it. Plus, there are thousands of alumni throughout America and beyond cheering on the Spartans with each game.
But how does the passion of Michigan State fans compare to the rest of the nation?
According to the Sportsbook Review's College Basketball Fan Passion Index, it tops them all.
Sportsbook Review went beyond wins and losses to find out who has the most passionate fans in college basketball among those in the preseason AP Top 25, and Michigan State narrowly beat out Purdue for the top spot.
The model quantified the most emotionally invested fan bases in college hoops by measuring "emotion, loyalty, and obsession" through an analysis of digital engagement, search behavior and trends, and live attendance data. Within those verticals, the study focused on four main "pillars": online engagement, search volume, Instagram followers, and average attendance.
Spartan fans pushed their way to the top through attendance and their online/social media activity.
"Spartan Nation once again proves that passion doesn't need a winning streak," Steven Luong writes. "Michigan State's fanbase leads the country in search volume, engagement, and attendance consistency. Even as on-court results fluctuate, the team's cultural footprint never fades."
"What makes Michigan State unique is the breadth of its engagement: high attendance rates, massive online search interest, and social activity that extends well beyond the season," Luong continued. "The Spartans are the gold standard for sustainable fandom, where community, culture, and consistency keep the fire burning year after year."
There had been a few tough years until last season's Elite Eight run, although MSU has managed to keep its NCAA Tournament streak alive. But positively or negatively, the passion of the fans never wanes, and it has been rejuvenated by recent success, high expectations, and an influx of talent as the team chases another shot at a national championship.
The Spartans still have plenty of work to do as the season continues, but the nation's most passionate fans will be there every step of the way.