DETROIT -- Michigan State needed more than a month to look like the team respected enough to be ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP Top 25.
Tyson Walker scored 18 of his 25 points in the first half to help build a huge lead and the struggling Spartans went on to stun previously unbeaten and sixth-ranked Baylor 88-64 Saturday.
"It was a step in the right direction," coach Tom Izzo said. "It shows you what we can be against a very, very good team."
The Spartans (5-5) had a breakout performance with a 30-point lead in the first half, and another 30-point cushion in the second half.