ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Draymond Green is usually Michigan State's vocal leader off the court and its do-it-all player on it.
But after Michigan beat the Spartans 70-63 Saturday, Green could barely be heard in the locker room after perhaps playing his worst game of the season.
"I blew the game for us, missing layups," he said quietly.
Green made just 3 of 14 shots, failing to connect on at least four attempts at point-blank range, and scored just seven points before fouling out with 1:17 left.
"He's really upset," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "He missed a lot of shots, some really close in at critical times. You can't do that in tight games."
The Spartans (17-13, 9-9 Big Ten) fell into a fourth-place tie in the conference with the Wolverines and Illinois. Penn State will join the logjam if it beats Minnesota on Sunday.
With just 17 wins overall, Michigan State might have to win at least a game in the Big Ten tournament to earn a 14th straight NCAA tournament bid.
Green said the Spartans, who started the season ranked No. 2, won't have a clean slate in Indianapolis.
"We can't wipe it clean because it is still there," Green said. "We're stuck with it now."
Izzo vowed that he wouldn't lobby to be among the NCAA field of 68.
"I'm going to take it either way," Izzo said. "No politicking or begging, I can promise you that."
The Spartans were swept by the Wolverines in a two-game season series for the first time since 1996-97, Izzo's second year as coach.
"It's very disappointing," said senior Kalin Lucas, who hadn't lost to Michigan until this season. "But we can't hold our heads down too long because we've got the Big Ten tournament."
Michigan State missed its first nine shots at Crisler Arena to fall behind 10-1, a deficit from which it couldn't recover against its improved rival.
"A lot of that was us," Michigan guard Zack Novak said. "But a lot of it was them too because they weren't making some wide-open looks."
The Spartans pulled within two points with 5:48 left but couldn't get closer.
"It came down to the first 5 minutes of the game," Lucas said.