1981–82 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team

1981–82 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record12–16 (7–11 Big Ten)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Frank Rourke
  • John Holms
  • William Norton
Captains
  • Kurt James
  • Kevin Smith
Home arenaJenison Fieldhouse
1981–82 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 7 Minnesota144 .778236  .793
No. 16 Iowa126 .667218  .724
Ohio State126 .6672110  .677
Indiana126 .6671910  .655
Purdue117 .6111814  .563
Illinois108 .5561811  .621
Michigan State612 .3331117  .393
Michigan612 .333720  .259
Northwestern414 .222819  .296
Wisconsin*117 .056423  .148
Rankings from AP Poll
*Wisconsin forfeited all games after Jan 25, 1982 due to NCAA sanctions.
Disputed record (3–15, 6–23)

The 1981–82 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team played their home games at Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Michigan and were members of the Big Ten Conference. They were coached by Jud Heathcote in his sixth year at Michigan State. The Spartans finished with a record of 11–17, 6–12 to finish in a tie for seventh place in Big Ten play.

Due to NCAA sanctions against Wisconsin for providing improper benefits for players, MSU's official record for the year is 12–16, 7–11.