MSU takes down Wisconsin at home

With a 61-50 win over the Wisconsin Badgers in East Lansing this afternoon, the Michigan State Spartans take one step closer to a Big Ten regular season championship.

For a while, it looked as though the Spartans had no legs. Wisconsin connected from outside the arc, attacked the Michigan State defense, and forced nine turnovers in a span of about five minutes. Although the score never got out of hand, Michigan State couldn’t seem to take care of the basketball. At the same time they were missing shots from every angle.

At this point they were probably having a field day in Ann Arbor. The curious thing about this rivalry is it rivals the U of M enmity. Goran Suton himself told the press earlier that he liked Michigan more than Wisconsin, which is pretty had because there aren’t many teams more abhorred by Michigan State.

The Spartans went into halftime down 31-25. But as the second half started, Michigan State would slowly creep up on the Badgers. Little by little the lead was filled in, but Wisconsin didn’t relinquish right away.

The Badgers took the lead all the way up to twelve points, and for a moment it looked like the Spartans might slip up. But looks can be deceiving, and Michigan State chipped and chipped until the lead had morphed into a 45-45 tie on a 12-foot Goran Suton jumper.

Seemingly shocked, Wisconsin tried for naught to regain possession but Michigan State kept at it with a jumper from Kalin Lucas to put the Spartans on top 49-47. Immediately following a stop on the other end, Chris Allen took a fast-break opportunity to take a barely contested three-pointer and hit nothing but net to put Michigan State up 52-47 with 2:42 left in the game. The Spartans would never trail again, and Wisconsin would only score three more points in a loss that ended their five-game winning streak.

While Wisconsin remains on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament in March, Michigan State is a lock for it. What the Spartans are concerned about is a conference title, and this win over the Badgers only takes them in the right direction.