Michigan Leaves Their Rival Feeling Blue

Michigan beats Michigan State to advance to the Big Ten Tournament Finals

Michigan used balanced scoring and a 24-33 performance from the free throw line to beat in state rival Michigan State, 75-64 in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

Early on, emotions ran hot and heavy from the start as the Spartans’, Nick Ward picked up an early tech. While Michigan State’s state of mind might’ve worked against, the Wolverines stayed composed. They jumped out to an early 13-4  lead before Michigan State knew what hit them.

“Well, I thought we got off to a poor start, and give them credit. Yet, the guys that hits the 3s were not the guys that normally you thought would make 3s.” – Coach Tom Izzo

But, the Spartans picked up their energy when Miles Bridges hit a desperation 3 at the end of the shot clock. That sparked a 10-0 Michigan State run that gave them their first lead of the game.

The half stayed close throughout with the Spartans leading 29-26 at the half.

The second half came out like the first with the Wolverines being aggressive on offense. They started off the half on a 10-2 run taking a 36-31 lead.

Unlike the first half, the Spartans never recovered from an early Michigan run. On three separate occasions the Spartans cut it to two but Michigan always responded. First the Wolverines responded with a Charles Matthews dunk, then it was an Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman three pointer, then a Duncan Robinson three.

Mo Wagner overcame a 4-14 shooting performance by going 4-7 from the floor in the second half. He also went 6-8 from the free throw line.

When asked what did he said to Wagner at halftime, Coach Beilein  responded “I told him, this is my great motivation at halftime, hey, Moe, are you going to make a shot? Because right now you’re stinking the place up. Just make one shot. We played with each other like that. He just smiled: Yes, Coach, I can do that.”

Miles Bridges led Michigan State with 17 points and 7 rebounds in what could have been his last Big Ten Tournament game.

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