Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State's 75-64 Big Ten tournament loss to Michigan

Lansing State Journal columnist gives his initial thoughts on the Spartans' loss to Michigan in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament.

1. MSU is different, better than on Jan. 13; Michigan is still a bear

NEW YORK – Little about Michigan State’s basketball team Saturday resembled the group that looked so feeble seven weeks ago against Michigan in East Lansing. Nick Ward’s inability to match up with Moritz Wagner was the same. But that’s about it.

Cassius Winston made plays, even if not enough of them. He looked to create and made a couple memorable passes — an alley-oop to Gavin Schilling, a perfectly threaded look-ahead to Xavier Tillman for a dunk. Miles Bridges found a post game in the second half, scoring 11 points after halftime, before fouling out. Jaren Jackson Jr. was aggressive on the offensive glass, three times scoring in traffic on put-backs. Matt McQuaid and Tillman played with confidence and gave MSU something. The Spartans defended fairly well, especially late in the first half, taking modest control of a game they trailed early.

But Michigan, on a neutral court in March, with a truly split crowd at Madison Square Garden, was just better.

MSU could still win a national title, but if the Spartans run into Michigan, I wouldn’t bet on it. In a sport that’s so much about matchups, the Wolverines are a tough one for this MSU team. For any team right now, actually. 

A Michigan team that began the year with two consistent weapons — Wagner and Charles Matthews — now has about five. And in John Beilein’s read-and-react offense, that’s a bear.

Both of these teams should be in the Final Four conversation. Frankly, both are among the top eight teams in the country.

For MSU, the key is going to be getting over this. When MSU lost to Ohio State on Jan. 7, the loss lingered for weeks. It dinged MSU’s confidence, its sense of invincibility. That was probably healthy in the long run. But the Spartans can’t afford such mental weakness now. They looked beaten as they left the court. That has to become anger. Not a sense of being  less than. 

MSU is still much of what we thought they’ve become. The Wolverines, though, have become much more than they’re getting credit for.

MORE:Michigan State loses to Michigan for second time, 75-64, in Big Ten tourney semifinals

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2. This loss could send MSU away from Detroit to start the NCAA tournament

The Spartans, even at 29-4 and outright Big Ten champs, could be a No. 3 seed after this loss to Michigan. Moreover, the Wolverines might still pass the Spartans on the seed line and wind up in Detroit instead to begin NCAA tournament play. The top two seeded teams closest to the venue get preferential placement.

Consider that the NCAA tournament selection committee’s midseason bracket reveal, which had the Spartans as a 3 seed, came on Feb. 11, after MSU’s win over Purdue. MSU is 5-1 since then, but none of those wins have come against NCAA tournament teams. I don’t see how the Spartans improved their resume. The Big Ten tournament was their chance. They needed to win on the weekend to do so.

Meanwhile, Michigan, which wasn’t a top-four seed in the bracket reveal and thus wasn’t part of it, has won seven straight since — including against Ohio State, at Penn State, Nebraska and now, Michigan State for the second time. One of those wins over the Spartans came in East Lansing, the other on a neutral floor. And, of course, Michigan still has another opportunity at a good win in the Big Ten tournament final Sunday. 

There is still a lot to be decided. Michigan might not jump MSU. Purdue and Xavier — the Big East outright champ — could both wind up in Detroit and neither Michigan nor MSU could be there.

Prepare for MSU to be elsewhere. 

3. Once, just once, at Madison Square Garden was special

The Big Ten tournament doesn’t belong here. Not regularly. Not at least for another decade. But having it once at Madison Square Garden — including MSU vs. Michigan at the mecca of hoops — was a special environment. It made for a memorable day. 

With the headache of travel and the inconvenience of New York compared to Indianapolis or Chicago, it’s easy to forget what an incredible place MSG is. The players love it, though they arrive on charter flights.

The location didn’t prevent an electric atmosphere. Apparently, a few people live around here. Like 20 million. Some of them are even alumni of Big Ten schools. I can’t remember a better energy for a Big Ten tournament game involving MSU — including the 2014 championship game against Michigan in Indy. To be fair, that game was lopsided. But it also never had the chippiness this one did.

This was also partly special because it was unique, a first. The specialness would be lost quickly if it’s here again before Bridges turns 30. New York remains grossly inconvenient for the bulk of Big Ten fans. However, even they should agree, this setting and venue was pretty cool. Once.

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.