The hate for Michigan State basketball in the Champions Classic is ridiculous

Michigan State basketball is fresh off a tough defeat at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks. Sure, this year's Spartans don't have many expectations. One true thing, though, is that they once again showed why they belong as a participant in this annual event.

Despite what other fanbases like Michigan and UConn think about MSU's yearly participation, the Spartans helped create the event, and they aren't going anywhere.

The hate this year feels even bigger, especially when a prominent writer took the time to criticize the Spartans participation. Sure it's one thing for a bunch of people behind a keyboard to run their mouth, but for Dan Wolken from USA Today to write an entire column suggesting MSU should be dropped completely from the event is nuts.

Former Spartan AD Mark Hollis created this event, so sorry Dan, but no matter what you think, Michigan State will continue to partake in it.

No, they haven't won a national title since 2000. You give Izzo and the Spartans crap for that all the time. No other Big Ten team has won it all either. So until you can legitimately tell me someone to replace them with from the Big Ten, you don't have an substance to your arguments.

I, for one, am sick and tired of the nonsense every single year, come Champions Classic time. Michigan fans have long made crap about it. Sorry Wolverines, you guys can't even dream of being involved in something, let alone come up with your own idea.

It certainly doesn't stop the organization committee for the event that has been running for over 12 years now. The field remains the same, with Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan State. In fact it has been renewed once again for many seasons to come.

As for you privileged UConn fans lately, good for you. You won back-to-back national titles. Sure, you're the king right now, but getting mad about not being included in an event that has had the same four teams for over 12 years now is wild.

Grow up, people. You're not missing out on anything.

More often than not, the high-ranked teams in the Champions Classic end up getting upset. Just look at Kentucky over Duke this year.