Having a disconnect between polls and projected brackets or rankings based on entire bodies of work is nothing new -- but it doesn't usually happen to the extent that we've seen with Michigan State over the past few weeks.
The Spartans have steadily risen up the AP and coaches' polls since losing at home to Michigan in mid-January, winning seven in a row against mostly mediocre competition. They weren't exactly moving the needle in projected brackets and were ranked outside the top 10 in ESPN's Power Rankings. After winning their eighth game in a row on Saturday, a home victory over Purdue, the buzz began to grow for Michigan State to jump to No.