Amanda Knapp
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team has a rich history of success, with notable wins and a strong record in NCAA tournaments. The Spartans have participated in 38 NCAA tournaments and made 27 consecutive appearances, the second-longest streak in college basketball history. The team has also achieved 10 Final Four appearances, 14 NCAA Elite Eights, and 21 NCAA Sweet Sixteens. The Spartans have a winning tradition, with influential coaches like Pete Newell and Forrest Forddy Anderson, who led the team to its first Big Ten Championship in 1957. More recently, the Spartans have continued their winning ways, with a notable victory over the Florida Gators in the 2000 national championship game, marking their second national title. The team has also seen individual standout performances, such as Coen Carr's season-high 18 points against Bryant, showcasing the team's depth and talent. With a strong foundation and a history of overcoming challenges, the Michigan State Spartans basketball team has established itself as a force to be reckoned with on the court.
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What You'll Learn
MSU's second national championship win
Michigan State University's men's basketball team has won the National Championship two times: in 1979 and 2000. MSU's basketball team is called the Spartans. MSU's second national championship win in 2000 was against Florida, with a final score of 89-76. The team was coached by Tom Izzo and led by players Morris Peterson, Charlie Bell, Jason Richardson, and tournament MVP Mateen Cleaves.
The road to the championship started with a bye in the first round of the tournament, followed by wins over Notre Dame and Kentucky, which earned them a trip to the Final Four. In the Final Four, MSU beat Wisconsin 53-41. The Spartans then went on to defeat the Florida Gators in the national championship game, despite losing Cleaves to an ankle injury early in the second half.
This win marked MSU's second national championship in basketball and Izzo's first and only championship to date. The team finished the season ranked No. 3 in the country and went on to have a successful 2000-01 season, finishing the non-conference schedule undefeated and ranked No.1 in the country. MSU also earned a share of the Big Ten title, their fourth consecutive, with a 13-3 conference record.
Tom Izzo has been the coach of Michigan State's basketball team since 1995 and has a successful record, helping the team make six of twelve NCAA Final Fours from 1999 to 2010 and winning the title in 2000. Izzo has adapted his coaching style over the years and continues to strive for championships.
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MSU's 2025 wins
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team had a successful 2024–25 season, with several notable wins and achievements. With a win over Michigan in the regular season finale, the Spartans secured 17 conference wins, setting a new school record. They also defeated Oregon in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament and received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 2 seed in the South region. This marked the team's 27th consecutive tournament appearance, the nation's longest active streak.
The Spartans' success in the 2024–25 season was largely due to the leadership of head coach Tom Izzo, who earned his 700th career win with MSU on January 30, 2024. Izzo was named the Big Ten's coach of the year for the fourth time and also achieved several milestones during the season. On February 8, 2025, Izzo tied Bob Knight for the most wins in conference history with 353. He then passed Knight with a win over Illinois on February 15, and on March 5, he moved into a three-way tie with Ward Lambert and Bob Knight for the most Big Ten regular-season championships with 11.
The Spartans also had several key players who contributed to their success in the 2024–25 season. Freshman Jase Richardson had a standout season, being selected for the All-Big Ten third team and the All-Freshman team. Jaden Akins was named to the All-Defensive team and the coaches' third team, while other players like Frankie Fidler, Xavier Booker, and Jaxon Kohler also made significant contributions throughout the season.
The team's success in the 2024–25 season built upon a strong foundation established in previous years. In the 2023–24 season, the Spartans finished with a 20–15 record and were ranked as high as No. 4 in preseason polls. They faced some early losses but recovered to move up in the rankings, and their win over Michigan on January 30, 2024, was a highlight of the season. The Spartans also had a strong recruiting class for the 2023–24 season, ranked as high as third in the country, which set the stage for their achievements in the following year.
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MSU's NCAA tournament record
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team has a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, with a total of 38 appearances as of 2025, including an impressive streak of 27 consecutive tournaments—the second-longest ever and the longest active streak in college basketball. The Spartans have also earned the sixth-most Final Four appearances with 10, and their winning percentage of .686 through 2023 places them ninth all-time in NCAA tournament history.
The Spartans first qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1957, just two years after their head coach at the time, John Benington, took over. They won their first Big Ten Championship that season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament and ultimately placing third in the nation. The team's success continued into the following year, with All-American Johnny Green leading them to another Big Ten Championship. In the 1959 NCAA Tournament, they fell just short of reaching the Final Four, losing to Kentucky in the Mideast regional finals.
The Spartans returned to the NCAA Tournament in 1978, this time under the leadership of coach Jud Heathcote. With future NBA star Earvin "Magic" Johnson on the team, they advanced to the Elite Eight. The following year, in 1979, Johnson and fellow standout player Greg Kelser led the Spartans to their first NCAA National Championship. This marked the school's first basketball championship.
The Spartans have since added a second NCAA Championship to their trophy case, winning again in 2000 under the guidance of coach Tom Izzo. Izzo has become synonymous with postseason success, guiding the Spartans to eight Final Fours during his tenure. In addition to their two championships, the Spartans have reached the Final Four on eight other occasions: 1957, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2019.
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MSU's most successful coaches
MSU has had several successful coaches over the years, with the Spartans participating in 38 NCAA tournaments, appearing in 27 consecutive NCAA tournaments, and having the sixth most Final Four appearances with 10.
One of the most notable coaches is Tom Izzo, who took over in 1995. In 2025, Izzo set the record for most wins by a coach in Big Ten conference play with 354. He has also won 11 Big Ten regular-season championships, tying him with Ward Lambert and Bob Knight for the most. Izzo led the Spartans to their second national championship in 2000, their first since 1979.
Chester Brewer, MSU's first full-time athletic director, is also considered one of the Spartan's most successful coaches. He led the basketball, baseball, and football teams to winning records and holds the highest winning percentage of any Spartan basketball coach with a record of 70-25.
Pete Newell is another influential coach, hired after a successful stint with the Dons. His 1951-52 squad was the first ranked Spartan team, registering a notable win over Notre Dame. Newell is often considered one of the most influential figures in basketball history.
Forrest "Forddy" Anderson took over the Spartans in 1954 and led them to their first Big Ten Championship in 1957.
More recently, Mel Tucker was considered one of the hottest up-and-coming coaches in college football, although a bad year in 2023 saw him left off the top 35 coaches list by 247Sports.
Other notable coaches include Jackie Sherrill, who led the Bulldogs to a winning record after several unsuccessful years, and Emory Bellard, who is credited with inventing the wishbone formation.
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MSU's notable players
Michigan State Spartans basketball has a rich history, with many notable players who have contributed to the team's success over the years. Here are some of the most outstanding athletes to have represented MSU:
Magic Johnson
Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Magic Johnson's time at Michigan State was brief but impactful. With his unique blend of size and playmaking ability, Johnson led the Spartans to their first national championship victory in 1979. He was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player, leaving an indelible mark on the program. Johnson's scoring average and assists rank highly in the school's history.
Mateen Cleaves
Arguably one of the most beloved Spartans, Mateen Cleaves signed with MSU in 1996 and quickly became the heart and soul of the team. Known for his tenacity and unselfish play, Cleaves helped lead the Spartans to a national championship in 2000. During his career, he earned accolades such as two-time All-American and three-time First Team All-Big Ten selections.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith, who signed with MSU in 1987, was known for his smooth shooting stroke and scoring instincts. During his senior season, he claimed the Big Ten Player of the Year award while guiding the Spartans to a Sweet 16 appearance. Smith left MSU as the program's all-time leading scorer, solidifying his place in the team's history.
Johnny Green
A key member of the Spartans in the late 1950s, Johnny Green helped the program reach the Final Four in 1957 and 1959. While he averaged 16.9 points over three seasons, Green is best known for his rebounding abilities. His rebounding average of 16.4 is the highest in MSU history, and his total rebounds rank third.
Tom Izzo
While primarily known as a highly successful coach, Tom Izzo was also a notable player for the Spartans. He took over as head coach in 1995 and has led the team to numerous achievements, including a national championship in 2000. Izzo has set records for the most wins by a coach in Big Ten conference play and has won multiple Big Ten regular-season championships.
Other notable MSU basketball players include Coen Carr, Scott Skiles, Draymond Green, and Robinson, who holds the highest career average in school history. The Spartans have a proud basketball tradition, with many outstanding players contributing to their success over the years.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, MSU won the 2000 national championship.
Yes, MSU beat Bryant 87-62.
Yes, MSU beat Michigan 75-62.
