No. 9 Michigan State is in an unfamiliar spot right now, having lost consecutive games for the first time all year. The Spartans will have a chance to get back in the win column when they host an Oregon team that is on a losing streak of its own.

It was the second loss in Big Ten play for Michigan State, and a season-defining win for UCLA, as the Bruins took down the Spartans on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. After the game, UCLA head coach Mick Cronin talked about the win, and then had some very interesting comments on how relationship with Tom Izzo, who he spoke extremely highly of.

Michigan State continues to get it done without a true star while showcasing a lineup that regularly goes 10 deep. The Spartans are the lone team in the AP Top 25 with only one player averaging double figures in scoring (Jaden Akins at 13.6) and that’s obviously difficult for opponents to scout and defend.

LOS ANGELES — Mick Cronin said he knew he was actually in the Big Ten when, at the conference’s media day back in October, he ran into Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. Izzo is the longest-tenured head coach in the Big Ten. He took over for the Spartans when he was 40 years old. He’s 70 now and in his 30th season at the helm.

This is the Spartans’ first loss outside of Quad 1, but they also have just two wins over teams that would be safely in the field today.