It’s been six up, and six down for Michigan State since that devastating two-point road loss to Nebraska. The Cornhuskers crawled back into the lead late in that game before holding on in the final seconds to put Michigan State away and stay atop the Big Ten standings.
The Spartans have won six straight games by at least 10 points.
The past six games, since the USC game to begin the month of January, have been the most dominant in college basketball.
No, I’m not just being hyperbolic, it’s factual. According to a recent post on X, Michigan State has been No. 1 in college basketball in point differential and points allowed over the past 24 days.
Michigan State has been the best team in the COUNTRY over the past month 🔥
— dunc 🌎 (@SpartyWRLD) January 24, 2026
43 point W vs Maryland
16 point W @ Oregon
17 point W @ Washington
21 point W vs Indiana
10 point W vs Northwestern
29 point W vs USC
56.7 PPG Allowed
+22.7 Diff./Game
Both #1 in CBB over this stretch. pic.twitter.com/EwVE9yRfSt
Is it surprising to see that Michigan State has been the best team in basketball over the past month? Not really, it did feel like that Cornell game was a wake-up call for the defense, and they’ve answered the call by allowing under 57 points per game since then by facing all Big Ten teams. Two of those teams — USC and Indiana — have been ranked at some point this season.
Michigan State is on a streak right now that we haven’t seen in quite some time, and while bracketologists have the Spartans pegged as a 2/3 seed, I wouldn’t be surprised if they played their way into a No. 1 seed, especially if they can finish the month of January with a double-digit win over Michigan.
There’s still a long way to go, though.
Michigan State’s remaining path is favorable
Michigan State has a pretty favorable remaining schedule in the Big Ten, and it was recently ranked the second-easiest of the top five conference title contenders.
Michigan State could very well be 21-2 by the time the Spartans host Illinois on Feb. 7. If they win that game, and then take care of business at Wisconsin, the Spartans could be 25-7 by the time they face Purdue in West Lafayette — and 15-1 in conference play. The final four games of the season are the toughest, however.
If Michigan State can go 2-2 in the final four games (at Purdue, at Indiana, vs. Rutgers, and at Michigan), it’s going to win the Big Ten, in my opinion.