MSU began the Big Ten regular season losing four of their first six games and fell out of the rankings . The Spartans rebounded thereafter to beat No. 19 Indiana and No. 13 Illinois . A non-conference loss to No. 15 Syracuse followed a 30-point blowout loss to No. 20 Illinois . MSU finished the conference schedule with four straight wins to tie for third place at 10 – 6 in conference and 18 – 11 overall . Michigan State beat Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals , but fell to Ohio State in the semifinals
Big Ten Tournament
2003 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
2002–03 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team