MSU beats Minnesota 65-64
From the very start of this game, I figured MSU was going to lose. Minnesota was playing at their best, blocking shots, stealing the ball, and hitting the 3-pointer. They were playing a lockdown defense that prevented MSU from getting easy baskets in the paint, or any offensive rebounds for that matter. MSU always seems to be a slow team to start games, and they were REALLY slow in this one, waiting until about 9 minutes left in the second half before they showed any spark, and began to cut a 13 point deficit. By the way, 13 points is the most they’ve been down to any Big Ten opponent this season. Under the best circumstances, 13 points is 5 possessions, so it took a real lockdown defense by MSU to counter Minnesota’s performance earlier in the game. The Spartans never lead the game until Kalin Lucas hit a clutch 3-pointer with about a minute and a half to go, to put the Green & White up 65-62. Then, just to make things dramatic, Minnesota scored, stopped MSU and called time out with just under 15 seconds remaining. They bumbled their final play and Raymar Morgan came up with the ball as time expired, giving MSU one of it’s most impressive wins this season.
I think the big thing for MSU this game was we were forced to go outside because Minnesota was defending the paint so well. Luckily, the 3-ball was starting to fall for us just when we needed it. Also, Minn. started looking pretty tired at the end of the second half, so MSU’s conditioning must be serving them well. I’m looking forward to this Tuesday’s away game at the Evil University of Michigan. I’m not counting on anything, but I feel pretty good about our chances against Michigan on the road. Go Green, Go White! Victory for MSU!
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