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Michigan State projected to miss NCAA Tournament for first time in 26 years

In a year which the Spartans were supposed to return to the summit of college basketball, Michigan State has gotten off to a disastrous start in the 2023-24 season...
Matthew Lounsberry|
Michigan State projected to miss NCAA Tournament for first time in 26 years
Michigan State projected to miss NCAA Tournament for first time in 26 years

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Michigan State Spartans

In a year which the Spartans were supposed to return to the summit of college basketball, Michigan State has gotten off to a disastrous start in the 2023-24 season.

The preseason No. 4 team in the country and a consensus No. 1 seed in preseason 2024 NCAA Tournament projections, the Spartans hold a 4-5 record through their first nine games this season, and have opened Big Ten play with consecutive losses to Wisconsin and Nebraska. As a result, Michigan State is now projected to miss "the Big Dance" entirely for the first time in 26 years.

In his latest projections, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi has the Spartans no where to be found in his field of 68 in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. In fact, Michigan State isn't even considered a "bubble team" at the moment, as its not included in either Lunardi's "First Four Out" (Oregon, Indiana State, UCLA, Nevada) or his "Next Four Out" (Washington State, USC, TCU, Virginia Tech).

Here's what Lunardi had to say about Michigan State's plummet from preseason expectations:

Once upon a time, as in five weeks ago, Michigan State was a consensus No. 1 seed. Since then, the Spartans have tumbled so drastically that comparisons to North Carolina last year -- when the Tar Heels famously went from a No. 1 preseason ranking to a missed NCAA tournament -- are accurate. If anything, Michigan State's fall has been even uglier. The Spartans have only one win of note (Butler, at home), are already 0-2 in the Big Ten and, subtracting three sub-300 guarantee games, have an "effective record" on our board of just 1-5. That's how you drop from the top line of the bracket on opening night -- a telling home loss to James Madison, as it turns out -- to completely off the bubble before exams. The only good news is that the Spartans have plenty of time to recover, although the dream of playing an NCAA Regional in Detroit has never been further away.

Michigan State's 4-5 start matches the worst nine-game record to open a season in Tom Izzo's 29 years as head coach, matching the openings of the 2002-03 season and Izzo's debut season of 1995-96. This is the sixth time Michigan State has opened 0-2 in Big Ten play during Izzo's tenure. The Spartans started 0-3 in conference play to begin the 2020-21 season.

Things don't get any easier for MSU in their next outing, when they'll travel to Detroit for a "neutral site" game against No. 6 Baylor. It's a game that will challenge MSU in every way, but also provides a big opportunity for the Spartans to put a massive win on their resume and get back on track.

Last March, Izzo broke a national record by leading Michigan State to its 25th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, passing legendary Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski for the longest streak by any head coach in college basketball history. Coach K led the Blue Devils to 24 straight appearances from 1996 to 2019.

The Spartans' 25 consecutive invitations to the Big Dance are the third-longest streak in the history of college basketball, and the second-longest active streak. Kansas has now been selected to the tournament for the 33rd consecutive time. The Jayhawks were led by former coach Roy Williams for the first 14 years and current coach Bill Self for the last 19 appearances of the on-going streak. North Carolina had a streak of 27 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 1975 to 2001, with legendary former Tar Heel head coach Dean Smith at the helm for 23 of those seasons.

Most Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances (Head Coach)

  1. Tom Izzo — 25 (1998-Present; Michigan State)
  2. Mike Krzyzewski — 24 (1996-2019; Duke)
  3. Bill Self — 24 (1999-Present; Tulsa, Illinois, Kansas)
  4. Dean Smith — 23 (1975-1997; North Carolina)
  5. Mark Few — 21 (2000-Present; Gonzaga)
  6. Roy Williams — 20 (1989-2009; Kansas, North Carolina)
  7. Bob Knight — 15 (1986-2000; Indiana)

Most Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances (Program)

  1. Kansas — 33 (1990-Present)
  2. North Carolina — 27 (1975-2001)
  3. Michigan State — 25 (1998-Present)
  4. Duke — 24 (1996-2019)
  5. Gonzaga — 24 (1999-Present)
  6. Wisconsin — 19 (1999-2017)
  7. Indiana — 18 (1986-2003)
  8. Kentucky — 17 (1992-2008)
  9. UCLA — 15 (1967-1981)

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Matthew Lounsberry
MATTHEW LOUNSBERRY

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