Michigan State did something on Thursday night that no Spartan team since Gary Harry and Adreian Payne were leading the way back in 2014. Not even Cassius Winston was able to do what these Spartans did at Mackey Arena.
Michigan State won, much to the delight of Tom Izzo who had been very critical of his team over the past few weeks, challenging his guys to do more.
They did more against No. 8 Purdue at Mackey Arena which ended a 12-year drought for the Spartans on that floor.
Izzo was elated after the game and you could tell he was proud of his guys.
He also shared the main reason why Michigan State was able to win: togetherness.
Michigan State picked up its first win at Mackey Arena since 2014, and Tom Izzo saw his guys play with passion and purpose on Thursday night.
— Ian Kress (@ian_kress) February 27, 2026
"I've said for two years, I'm the luckiest guy in America. We're together and we're connected." pic.twitter.com/ZAWglUufSx
Being connected is something that the last two Michigan State teams have been able to do and Izzo has admitted that it's gotten the program its identity back. He called himself the luckiest guy in American because his team is together and connected and they had a great week of practices, walk-throughs, and film, and it all paid off.
Everyone being on the same page led to the win. Who would have thought?
The sky is the limit for a "connected" Michigan State team
What we saw from Michigan State against Purdue shined a light on what this team can be in March. The Spartans were running, they were making great decisions, they were making open shots, and they were defending at a high level.
A connected Michigan State team like the one we saw "upset" the Boilermakers on their own floor is going to be a dangerous matchup for just about everyone in March.
Right now, the Spartans are considered a 3-seed, but if they can find a way to win out, they'll be in the conversation for a 2-seed. I think they're already in that conversation, but beating Indiana, Rutgers, and Michigan would solidify that, in my opinion.
It's a lot to ask, but if this team can play this well together and continue to be connected, a Final Four is not out of the question.
Like Izzo said, this isn't his most talented team, but what they lack in talent, they make up for in toughness and togetherness. That's something every coach wants.