Michigan State has earned the respect of our voters. The Spartans are fifth in the Big Ten -- granted, they trail Indiana by only 2½ for the conference lead -- and also fifth in our Power Rankings.
Is it the Tom Izzo factor? Is it the Denzel Valentine factor? Yes.
The schedule sets up well for the Spartans -- Ohio State twice, Penn State and Rutgers to close the regular season. And March is, after all, a month the Spartans know well -- and a month in which Izzo's teams typically perform well.
Voters: Eamonn Brennan (ESPN.