Michigan State is still undefeated and still No. 1.
But the Spartans are drastically different without Denzel Valentine.
That goes without saying, perhaps. But it was undeniable during Tuesday's 99-93 OT win against Oakland, during which the Spartans had to overcome a 13-point halftime deficit.
Michigan State allowed Oakland to score 50 points in the opening 20 minutes.
"That had nothing to do with Denzel Valentine," said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who was recently nominated for the Hall of Fame. "That had something to do with the guys we had.