Michigan State remains one of the top 10 teams in the country despite the Duke loss

The first loss of the season was a difficult one for Michigan State as the Spartans couldn’t overcome the zone in the final five minutes against Duke, falling at home, 66-60.

The final score doesn’t give the Spartans’ performance justice. They played well from about halfway through the first half until the final four minutes, holding a lead for most of that span. Michigan State was in control before a timeout when it was 45-40 in the second half, but Cameron Boozer put on a show and was able to take over, scoring 16 points in the final 20 minutes.

Duke took a three with the shot clock winding down in a one-possession game, and it hit every part of the rim before falling and putting the game out of reach with about 30 seconds left.

Michigan State is now 8-1 on the year and fell a couple of spots in the AP Top 25 this week to No. 9 after climbing double-digit spots this season. Still, the Spartans are considered one of the top contenders in the country, depending on who you ask, and the NET rankings agree.

In fact, despite that home loss to Duke, Michigan State is still a top-10 team.

This ranking is arguably more important than the AP Poll.

Michigan State still has a lot to prove

Despite starting 8-1 with three ranked wins over Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina, Michigan State is considered a borderline top-10 team, and some media outlets barely even consider the Spartans contenders this season. The lack of respect is baffling.

Michigan State does have a handful of quality wins, Iowa included, but there are experts who are hesitant to call it a national title contender.

With a great point guard in Jeremy Fears Jr., freshmen who are contributing early, impressive post play on both ends of the floor, an elite defense, and the willingness to rebound, Michigan State is as good as anyone in the country and it’s built to last in March.

Unfortunately, not enough people are in agreement. That’s why Tom Izzo will have to scratch and claw for respect yet again — a tale as old as time.