I am sure that every MSU fan who comes into any contact with Wolverines this week has heard the stat that Michigan now has 23 NCAA Tournament wins in the past 10 years, while MSU has but 16 wins. Sadly, this is a fact even if it is both horrifying and disgusting. The Wolverines certainly have enjoyed more success in March than the Spartans over this span.
That said, here are some additional facts over the past 10 years that your Wolverine friends perhaps failed to mention
MSU has more total basketball win (254 to 247)
MSU has more Big Ten wins (126 to 118)
MSU has more Big Ten regular season titles (3 to 2)
MSU has more Big Ten tournament titles (3 to 2)
MSU earned a higher seed in the Big Ten tournament in 8 of the 10 seasons
MSU advanced farther in the BTT than Michigan in 6 of the 9 tournaments
MSU finished ranked higher in Kenpom in 6 of the 10 seasons
MSU never missed the NCAA Tournament in that span (while Michigan did)
MSU leads the head-to-head match-up (12 to 9)
MSU has the same number of Final Fours (two each)
So, while Michigan's success in the Tournament relative to MSU is not up for debate, it is literally the only category that I can think of where the Wolverines can claim any advantage.
Michigan fans attempting to dog MSU fans about their Tournament record over the past 10 years would be a little bit similar to MSU fans making fun of Michigan's poor record in Bowl Games over the last 10 years (which is 1-7 compared to MSU's record of 6-2). Of course, in order for this analogy to hold, Michigan would have to have an edge over the Spartans in total football wins (they don't), Big Ten Titles (nope), and head-to-head (sorry).
The fact that the Wolverines are rallying around this stat and their Sweet 16 streak is actually pretty obvious: it's all that they have... in either sport.
All things considered, would MSU fans trade the complete results over the past 10 years in either sport with the Wolverines? I sure wouldn't. Would I prefer to have done better in March? Absolutely. But the complete package in East Lansing has been better over the past decade all the way around.
Furthermore, which program (in both football and basketball) would be the smart one to bet on to have more success over the next 10 years? On the gridiron, I would absolutely rather have MSU's next decade. Mel Tucker versus Jimbo? I like those odds. As for hoops, in all likelihood, Tom Izzo will be in retirement 10 years from now. Still, I would take the hall-of-famer (and his hand-picked successor) over the dude who walked across the street from his anger management class to the Big Ten Tournament any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
So, chins up MSU fans, the past is not nearly as bad as your maize-and-blue clad neighbor or coworker would have you believe. Furthermore, the future is most likely brighter as well.
Go Green.
That said, here are some additional facts over the past 10 years that your Wolverine friends perhaps failed to mention
MSU has more total basketball win (254 to 247)
MSU has more Big Ten wins (126 to 118)
MSU has more Big Ten regular season titles (3 to 2)
MSU has more Big Ten tournament titles (3 to 2)
MSU earned a higher seed in the Big Ten tournament in 8 of the 10 seasons
MSU advanced farther in the BTT than Michigan in 6 of the 9 tournaments
MSU finished ranked higher in Kenpom in 6 of the 10 seasons
MSU never missed the NCAA Tournament in that span (while Michigan did)
MSU leads the head-to-head match-up (12 to 9)
MSU has the same number of Final Fours (two each)
So, while Michigan's success in the Tournament relative to MSU is not up for debate, it is literally the only category that I can think of where the Wolverines can claim any advantage.
Michigan fans attempting to dog MSU fans about their Tournament record over the past 10 years would be a little bit similar to MSU fans making fun of Michigan's poor record in Bowl Games over the last 10 years (which is 1-7 compared to MSU's record of 6-2). Of course, in order for this analogy to hold, Michigan would have to have an edge over the Spartans in total football wins (they don't), Big Ten Titles (nope), and head-to-head (sorry).
The fact that the Wolverines are rallying around this stat and their Sweet 16 streak is actually pretty obvious: it's all that they have... in either sport.
All things considered, would MSU fans trade the complete results over the past 10 years in either sport with the Wolverines? I sure wouldn't. Would I prefer to have done better in March? Absolutely. But the complete package in East Lansing has been better over the past decade all the way around.
Furthermore, which program (in both football and basketball) would be the smart one to bet on to have more success over the next 10 years? On the gridiron, I would absolutely rather have MSU's next decade. Mel Tucker versus Jimbo? I like those odds. As for hoops, in all likelihood, Tom Izzo will be in retirement 10 years from now. Still, I would take the hall-of-famer (and his hand-picked successor) over the dude who walked across the street from his anger management class to the Big Ten Tournament any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
So, chins up MSU fans, the past is not nearly as bad as your maize-and-blue clad neighbor or coworker would have you believe. Furthermore, the future is most likely brighter as well.
Go Green.
