In 2008 , MSU finished the non-conference schedule 12 – 1 and ranked No. 6 in the country with wins over No. 24 NC State , No. 20 BYU , and No. 4 Texas . A hot start to the Big Ten schedule , winning six of seven , was followed by four losses in their next seven which left them in fourth place in the Big Ten with a record of 12 – 6 . As the No. 4 seed tn the Big Ten Tournament , they beat Ohio State before losing to No. 8 Wisconsin . The Spartans received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament to mark their 11th consecutive trip to the Tournament under Tom Izzo . As a No. 5 seed , the Spartans beat Temple , and Pittsburgh to move on to the Sweet Sixteen for the seventh time in 11 years . A rout by a Derrick Rose-led Memphis ended the season
Big Ten Tournament
2008 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball