Losing both Cleaves and Peterson to graduation following the season , MSU still began the 2000 – 01 season ranked No. 3 in the country . Led by sophomore Jason Richardson , freshmen Zach Randolph , and seniors Charlie Bell and Andre Hutson , the Spartans finished the non-conference schedule undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country . MSU again earned a share the Big Ten title , their fourth consecutive , with a 13 – 3 conference record . They suffered a surprise defeat by Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament in their attempt to win the tournament for the third consecutive year . They received their third consecutive No. 1 seed , in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament . Seeking a repeat National Championship , MSU easily dispatched Alabama State and Fresno State to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth consecutive year . A win over Gonzaga and Temple led to the school 's third straight trip to the Final Four . However , they were unable to repeat as National Champions , losing to Arizona in the National Semifinal . Following the season , Randolph and Richardson each left school early and declared for the NBA Draft
Big Ten Tournament
2001 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball