Michigan State basketball legend makes ESPN’s Top 25 individual performances of past 25 years

ESPN lists Michigan State basketball legend’s performance during the 2000 title game as a top individual performance over the last 25 years.

A few weeks ago, ESPN released the top 25 individual performances of the past 25 years. Written by Myron Medcalf, this is a part of a series that focused on the past 25 years of college basketball. Strictly from the years of 1998-99 through 2022-2023, installments in the series include the 25 Best Players, and 25 Greatest “What If?” Moments.

Michigan State basketball had a legend appear in the third piece written by Medcalf, and extremely high, too. 

Medcalf lists Mateen Cleaves’ performance during the 2000 title game

Coming in at No. 6 overall, Mateen Cleaves is the Spartans sole representative on Myron’s list in best individual performances in the last 25 years.

Myron writes:

“6. Mateen Cleaves’ return to the national title game after an ankle injury (2000)

The Most Outstanding Player of that year’s tournament had already scored 18 points for Michigan State, which was up by eight points on Florida, when he limped to the locker room after a collision early in the second half of the national championship game. The injury looked severe, yet he would eventually return to the floor. His scrappy playmaking would help the Spartans secure an 89-76 win and the school’s second NCAA title.”

Medcalf is absolutely correct in ensuring Cleaves’ national title game performance is in the upper echelon of this list, if not higher. Anyone familiar with Michigan State basketball has seen the play in which Cleaves rolled his ankle and limped away. Simultaneously, every MSU fan felt as though they had just been punched in the gut as their leader, one of the best Spartans to lace it up, went down barely into the second half. But, just as fans were coming to terms that the magical Flintstone season may fall just short, he made his way back to the bench and would put on a Michael Jordan Flu Game-esque performance. As the crowd erupted, Mateen cemented himself as one of the greatest Spartans of all time, and claimed one of the best individual performances of the last 25 years. 

Call me biased, but Mateen’s heart and performance in that game deserves to be higher compared to the remaining five.

5. JJ Redick seals Duke’s No. 1 ranking over Texas (2005)
4. Jimmer Fredette takes down undefeated San Diego State (2011)
3. Eddie House records 61 points vs. California, his dream school (2000)
2. Steph Curry scores 40 points vs. Gonzaga (2008)
1. Carmelo Anthony gets hot against Texas in the Final Four (2003)

Where does this performance rank among strictly Michigan State?

For Michigan State, at least, Cleaves’ 2000 National Championship run is easily the greatest individual performance throughout March under Tom Izzo. Back in March, we put together a list of the top performances by Spartans in March Madness, and Mateen’s performance in 2000 was far and away the best.

We will revisit the list once again in March and see if Cleaves’ individual performance still reigns supreme.