Big Ten Tournament Final: Spartans Dominate The Wolverines
By BR
Mar 16, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Gary Harris (14) is congratulated by guards Keith Appling (11) and Denzel Valentine (45) after dunking against the Michigan Wolverines in the championship game for the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Izzo’s Spartans made a statement today with a dominant 69-55 win over the Michigan Wolverines in the final game of the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans have earned a reputation this year as a tough team that gets stops and pushes in transition and today was no different.
The Wolverines surrendered the lead with 14:05 to go in the first, and after the Spartans ignited shortly after with a 12-0 run, the tone had been set for the rest of the afternoon. Michigan never really had a shot, as they would get no closer than 10 points for the rest of the game.
The Wolverines normally efficient offense was nowhere to be found, as their 55 points is their lowest total since their February 63-52 loss to Nebraska. Nik Stauskas (4-14), Caris LeVert (2-10), and Zak Irvin (2-5) all struggled under the defensive pressure applied by the Spartans, and as a team shot a paltry 26.1% from three-point land.
In the first matchup between these two teams, a 80-75 victory for Michigan in January, Michigan State had to take the court without key center Adreian Payne and forward Branden Dawson. Both now healthy and in the Spartans’ starting lineup, the duo combined for 33 points and 15 rebounds.
Indiana native Gary Harris had 13 of his 15 points in the first half, and led the early push that gave Michigan State control and they never looked back.