EAST LANSING -- The respect for Michigan State became evident when after a three-game losing streak, the Spartans were ranked 10th in the Associated Press poll.

In fact, they have played a whopping 11 games against teams that have been ranked in the top 10 at some point this season, losing only one game by double-digits.

Michigan State has beaten Kansas, led Miami at halftime on the road, blown out Michigan before settling on a regular-season split and given Indiana all it's wanted in two losses. As coach Tom Izzo noted, the Spartans also have the experiences last season beating Gonzaga and going up against Louisville in the NCAA tournament.

"I think this team is capable of playing with just about anybody in the country that I've seen so far," Izzo said Tuesday. "Other years, I didn't feel that way. In years we went to the Final Four, I didn't feel that way."

Michigan State is 5-6 against teams that have been in the top 10, and Izzo notes that the team has had mostly close losses and no major letdowns, signaling a certain amount of consistency with its effort level.

"We have showed up every game," Izzo said. "Not always to our liking, but we haven't had one of those games where we just flat-out haven't shown up.

"I think that proves where we can be. Whether we have the leadership, which I think starts rearing its ugly head right now, or the toughness, which I think rears its ugly head, as competition gets tougher, as pressure gets bigger, those are the things you need."

Izzo indicated he wouldn't fret about seeding in the NCAA tournament because of the parity in college basketball.

"I don't think anybody's that much better," Izzo said. "The problem is, I don't think anybody's that much worse.

"I'm not going to feel good on Selection Sunday unless Northern Michigan pops up, but I'm not going to feel bad if somebody says 'you're under-seeded. I say, 'let's line it up.'

"I do know that we are not afraid of anybody because we have played everybody."