Michigan State basketball finally jumps into AP Top 25

It's been over a year since Michigan State basketball last cracked the AP Top 25. Last Thanksgiving against Arizona was the last time we witnessed a number next to Michigan State's game on the score graphic but that's going to change when the Spartans are back in action next week.

Following blowout Big Ten wins over Minnesota and Nebraska, the Spartans jumped to No. 21 in the AP Top 25 on Monday -- up five spots from the week before when they were the first team outside the rankings.

The win over Nebraska by 37 points really catapulted this team into the rankings as the Cornhuskers were a NET top-40 team in college basketball with a convincing win over a ranked Creighton team on their resume. That was considered a really good win and that made it three straight victories for the Spartans, beating Minnesota and North Carolina in the two previous contests.

Michigan State is now 8-2 on the season with a 10-day gap in between the Nebraska and Oakland games. This break will be good for the team as they can regroup, get healthy, and prepare for the final three non-conference games before facing Ohio State to start the new year.

This team is now first in the Big Ten at 2-0 and should be 11-2 when conference play resumes. That game at Ohio State in January won't be easy, but it will be the perfect test to return to conference action. Plus, the confidence should be through the roof by then.

It's good to see Michigan State back where it belongs: in the Top 25.