Michigan State’s loss to Iowa must be forgotten quickly

What started as a double-digit lead going into the final minute turned into a humiliating loss for Michigan State. What would’ve been the Spartans last quality win in the regular season, instead is another loss. The Spartans lose a high scoring affair to Iowa 112-106, but what ensues is more important.

MSU still has two games to play, at Nebraska and ‘Senior Day’ against Ohio State. Win both and the Spartans will have secured a bid in the NCAA tournament. Nebraska and OSU are two of the three worst teams in the conference, but as we saw against Iowa, anything can happen in the Big Ten.

While most of us will linger on the Iowa loss, it’s important for both Michigan State’s players and coaches to put the collapse out of their minds. Head coach Tom Izzo took full blame for the loss, and knows where he went wrong. That’s a start.

While a win at Iowa would have boosted the Spartans’ already solid NCAA Tournament resume, MSU can’t allow one loss to linger and turn into two losses. Nebraska is currently on a four-game win streak, and the Cornhuskers will have nothing to lose when they host the Spartans on Tuesday. Michigan State can’t allow Nebraska to play spoiler here.

Going into Saturday, Michigan State was projected as a 7-seed by ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi, and the Spartans were trending towards a 6-seed. A loss to either Nebraska or Ohio State would jeopardize that rising seed projection.

Metrics are still in Michigan State’s favor. The Spartans’ defensive efficiency is No. 32 in the country and offensive efficiency is No. 53, according to Kenpom. MSU’s offensive rating rose almost 20 spots after scoring 106 points on Saturday.

The way Michigan State lost to Iowa was something few of us have ever seen before, and may not ever see again. It was painful for fans to watch the team unravel, and we’ll remember the loss for years. But the Spartans still have a lot ahead of them. March is upon us, and that is when Izzo is at his best. A splash in the conference or NCAA Tournament can put this loss in the rearview mirror. But first, they need to finish the regular season strong.