Michigan State basketball: Anticipation at all-time low for Michigan game

There are some important accomplishments on the line when it comes to Tuesday night's Michigan vs. Michigan State basketball game including state bragging rights, Big Ten standings positioning, and win No. 700 in the legendary career of Tom Izzo.

And yet, it just doesn't feel like it.

Is it due to the sleepy nature of both fanbases after Michigan captured a national title in football and both fanbases are exhausted from rooting on the Lions to the NFC Championship only to be gutted by a 17-point San Francisco 49ers comeback in the second half? That could be it. But it could also be the fact that neither team is currently moving the needle in the national spotlight.

Michigan is 7-13 on the season and reeling in Big Ten play while the Spartans are 12-8 and just dipped back one game under the .500 mark with a loss to Wisconsin on Friday, 81-66.

Would this game have a different feel to it if Michigan State had gone into Madison and upset No. 13 Wisconsin? Probably. The Spartans would be sitting at 13-7 and they would be on the verge of being ranked while also moving up drastically in the Big Ten standings. However, the opposite happened and Michigan State looked hapless in Madison to drop to 12-8.

And Michigan fans have completely checked out of this basketball season, especially with Dug McDaniel not partaking in road trips (including to East Lansing) for the next month, or so.

If it wasn't for Izzo's 700th win being on the line and the fact that Michigan State is still fighting for NCAA Tournament seeding, this game would mean next to nothing.

Heck, you can't even watch on TV, it's streaming only on Peacock.

What happened to the rivalry we love?