It's never a good thing when Michigan basketball loses to Michigan State. It's especially frustrating when it happens in Ann Arbor.
This loss stung even more than most rivalry games though because of what it means for the Big Ten title chances of Michigan basketball.
Michigan State started the game trailing the Wolverines by half a game and left with a half-game lead. The race is far from over. Michigan basketball has five games to go. Michigan State has four and three of them are against ranked teams.
While last night's loss was a blow -- Michigan would have a 1.5-game lead right now and could wrap up the title before the trip to East Lansing, U-M still controls its own destiny.
If the Wolverines win out, they will be outright Big Ten champions. Michigan would finish 17-3 and Michigan State would end up 16-4. If both teams have one loss before the next game, the matchup in East Lansing would still be for the Big Ten title outright.
There are a number of different scenarios, but trying to map out where both teams will be going into that final game is diffcult. Michigan will be tested on Monday at Nebraska. The Huskers need a win to make the NCAA tournament and that'll be a quad-1 opportunity for Michigan.
Then, the Wolverines get Rutgers, Illinois, and Maryland at home. Go 2-2 and the title could be out of reach. If Michigan goes 2-2 and the Spartans go 3-0, MSU will clinch before the season finale.
But even a 3-1 record would guarantee Michigan basketball a share of the title with a win in the final game. It's just hard to see the Wolverines getting a share of the title or winning it, without a road win over Michigan State. The Spartans play at 20th-ranked Maryland on Wednesday before hosting 11th-ranked Wisconsin on March 2nd.
The Spartans also have to play at Iowa, before hosting Michigan to end the season. So even though the loss was disappointing last night, Michigan basketball controls its own destiny, and if the Spartans slip up a little, which could happen, it's easy to see that final game being for all it all.