MSU embraces 'step-by-step' process, suddenly finds itself back in NCAA Tournament conversation

It’s amazing how things can change in a week.

Six days ago, Michigan State was grappling with the likelihood of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997. Three games later, and there is life in the Spartans program, one that had been left on the scrapheap of teams with no chance of even considering a tournament berth.

First was the win Saturday at Indiana, when the Spartans scored 52 second-half points. Next came back-to-back wins over top-five teams, including the physical domination of No. 5 Illinois on Tuesday followed by Thursday night’s second-half rally to beat No. 4 Ohio State.

It was the first time Michigan State had beaten two conference teams ranked that high in…