Michigan State takes over lead for NCAA Tournament appearance streak

Michigan State is now the active leader in consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

Kansas held the record with 33 consecutive appearances from 1990-to-2023. KU’s streak has been adjusted, however, due to the program’s NCAA violations case. The Jayhawks have to vacate wins from 2018, which effectively erases the NCAA Tournament bid from that year, ending the long streak.

KU had to vacate the NCAA tournament wins in 2018, which means it does not count as a tournament appearance.

The long-standing streak of NCAA tournament bids for KU men’s basketball is erased.

— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) October 11, 2023

Michigan State now has the longest active streak, with 25 consecutive appearances from 1998-2023. Kansas still holds the longest streak of all time, with 28 consecutive Big Dance berths. North Carolina is next in line, with a run of 27 straight appearances from 1975-to-2001.

MSU’s tournament run has included 8 trips to the Final Four with the 2000 national championship crown. The Spartans last made the Final Four in 2019.

Last season, Tom Izzo’s team posted a 21-13 overall record, going 11-8 in B1G play. MSU drew the No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans defeated USC and Marquette to get back to the Sweet 16. Michigan State’s season came to a close with a loss to Kansas State in overtime.

The Spartans’ campaign to be back in March Madness begins on Nov. 6 against James Madison. Michigan State will also play Hillsdale College and Tennessee in October exhibition games.