In 2005 , the Spartans again looked to rebound from a disappointing early NCAA Tournament exit . They started the season 3 – 2 , but cruised through the Big Ten , only losing three games , including a loss to No. 1 Illinois and finished second in conference to Illinois . MSU finished the regular season with a 13 – 3 conference record and 22 – 5 overall while being ranked No. 13 in the country . The Spartans lost in the quarterfinals in the Big Ten Tournament to Iowa . Michigan State received an at-large bid as a No. 5 seed in the Austin Regional of the NCAA Tournament , their eighth straight appearance in the Tournament under Tom Izzo . Wins over Old Dominion and Vermont led the Spartans to the Sweet Sixteen for the sixth time in eight years . In the Sweet Sixteen , the Spartans beat No. 3-ranked and No. 1-seeded Duke , which MSU had not defeated since 1958 . The win marked Izzo 's first win over Duke 's Mike Krzyzewski ( as of 2017 ) . A double overtime victory over Kentucky sent the Spartans to their fourth Final Four in seven seasons . MSU would again fall in the Final Four , this time to No. 2-ranked and No. 1-seeded North Carolina
Big Ten Tournament
2004 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball