The Spartans, led by 21st-year head coach Tom Izzo, played their home games at the Breslin Center and were members of the Big Ten Conference.

In this match-up of two major college programs, Denzel Valentine led the Spartans's from an 11-point deficit in the second half to an upset of Kansas with a triple double, scoring 29 points with 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

In the first game of the tournament on Thanksgiving, a blowout of Boston College, Valentine repeated his performance against Kansas, notching a triple double again (29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists).

[20] The semifinals of the Wooden Legacy saw the Spartans facing Boise State on November 27 for a chance to play in the championship game.

[21] In the championship game held in the Honda Center, in Anaheim, California, on November 29, the Spartans faced Providence, led by player of the year candidate, Kris Dunn.

[27] The Spartans held Binghamton to 12 points in the first half and started the game with an impressive display of passing which led to a dunk by Valentine.

[31] The Spartans encountered stiff competition from Florida, but prevailed again, winning 58–52, their lowest scoring output of the season.

[35] Though characterized as minor, the injury was expected to have a great effect on the Spartans as Valentine led the team in scoring, rebounds, and assists.

[36] The Spartans rallied in the second half to take the lead, but were forced to go to overtime to get the win, outlasting Oakland 99–93.

[37] The win set the record for best start to a season for Michigan State at 13–0 and marked an undefeated non-conference schedule.

"[40] As a result of the win over the top-ranked Spartans, Iowa fans stormed the court despite having chanted "overrated" before the end of the game.

Despite Michigan State playing better and taking the lead in the second half, Wisconsin found themselves within four points with less than a minute remaining.

However, despite a Valentine circus shot three in the last 10 seconds and an open look for the win as the clock expired, the Spartans fell to Nebraska 72–71.

Maryland was led by Melo Trimble, who scored 24 points but was limited to three assists with good defense by Harris.

[61] Deyonta Davis continued to improve his game, setting an MSU freshmen-high for blocks with six, a career-high 11 rebounds, and added eight points.

[62] Notably, Tom Izzo moved into second place all time for wins at a Big Ten school, breaking a tie with Gene Keady.

The Spartans routed Rutgers on their way to tying a school record for three-point field goals made in a game, hitting 17.

The Spartans entered February with five days off before facing perhaps the most difficult stretch of the season, including a trip to Purdue and a game against Indiana in Breslin Center.

Prior to the match-up with Purdue, Tom Izzo announced that Nairn could be out for perhaps another month with his plantar fasciitis injury.

[67] When he returns, Izzo said he would likely be only a defensive replacement and point guard relief, playing only three to eight minutes a game.

[67] Valentine was also named Big Ten player of the week for his near triple-double against Michigan, his third time being so honored this season.

In overtime with the teams tied at 81, a controversial foul call on Valentine with 4.9 seconds remaining gave Raphael Davis two free throws for the win.

[68] The loss dropped the Spartans to 20–5 and 7–5 in conference all but assuring they would be unable to win the Big Ten regular season championship.

[81] MSU started slow, beginning three of 15 from the field, but were still up 28–9 at one point and, with almost five minutes left in the first half, PSU head coach Pat Chambers was ejected from the game with a double technical.

[84] His Big Ten single-game record of 11 three-point field goals (his only baskets of the game) helped MSU to a 31-point blowout.

[86] On Senior Day at Breslin Center, March 5, the Buckeyes looked for revenge for their home loss to the Spartans the prior weekend.

[88] MSU finished the regular season with a 26–5 overall record and 13–5 in conference, good enough for second place in the Big Ten.

[88] On March 8, USA Today named Valentine National Player of the Year over Oklahoma's Buddy Hield.

[97] With the win, MSU set the record for most Big Ten tournament Championships with five (Ohio State has also won five, but one has been vacated due to NCAA violations).

[101] Costello, Forbes, and Valentine ended their MSU careers with what some argue was the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history.