MSU Stifles Michigan's Harris For a Key Road Win at Crisler

It was a game that Dick Bennett (former Wisconsin coach know for his defensive teams) would have relished. The tempo was slow, the shot clock routinely read

It was a game that Dick Bennett (former Wisconsin coach know for his defensive teams) would have relished. The tempo was slow, the shot clock routinely read single digits and the team with the best defense was the decisive winner. Give Beilein’s Wolverine’s credit, they dictated the ugly tempo of the game and hung around until the bitter end, but when the free throws were shot and the clock expired, the men-in-green emerged victorious with a 54-42 win.

 

I am not ready to anoint this MSU team the next Big Ten or national champion. Much like their predecessors of the 2000 season, they won a game that was contrary to their comfort zone having to play a brand of basketball that they loathe. Dribble, dribble, pass… dribble, reset the play at the top… dribble dribble…it was painfully slow, methodical and full of long defensive stretches.

 

When MSU can run track on the hardwood, they are really tough to beat. Michigan knew not to get baited into the open court with MSU’s thoroughbreds; the game would have been over before it started. When discipline has often plagued Wolverine teams of previous years, this U-M team stuck to their Dick Bennett game plan and took MSU to the wire. In the end, the better team won. The combination of superior depth, coaching, athleticism and toughness proved to be the difference tonight.

 

Yesterday I said that I believed Manny Harris would be the third best player on the court in tonight’s match-up. I had the Big Ten Network’s favorite son nestled behind Lucas and Summers. The reality proved to be more like the fifth best behind Lucas, Summers, Roe and Sims. Harris found MSU’s defense to be stout and too tough for his slightly built 6’5” frame. State harassed him all night with multiple defenders and Walton just made him look junior varsity most of the evening. Seven hard earned points for the player that analysts just two weeks ago were calling the best player in the Big Ten Conference. I’m sure the Detroit propaganda machine will put their spin on it. Manny was probably just too tired from the trip to Hartford this past weekend.

 

While Sims earned the Wolverine spotlight with 18 points, MSU freshman Delvon Roe won the game for his Spartans putting the offense and defense squarely on his shoulders. Roe caught the ball and finished in traffic with his soft hands all night. His 14 points and 11 rebounds were some of the prettiest points and boards by a Spartan player in Crisler Arena. As Roe found his touch, he opened things up for his teammates. When it came time to win, Kalin Lucas took control of the ball and did what every big-time point guard must do, he found a way to put the ball in the cylinder.

 

Green had another nice game playing tough defense, getting some crucial boards and a key basket after a Tom Izzo timeout. Lucious played a fantastic game filling in beautifully at the point and hitting a key three pointer when State needed a basket. With Raymar Morgan firmly planted on the pine (recovering from walking pneumonia), MSU’s youth continued to garner precious experience. It is the experience that will be needed for State to hang that ever-elusive Big Ten banner in March. If you are a Spartan fan, you can only daydream about the possibilities when Raymar returns to health.

 

The game wasn’t pretty. It looked like a Wolverine co-ed most of the night. When the buzzer sounded the Spartans looked to the rafters and saw the Spartan faithful exchanging hugs and high fives. The chants of “Go Green / Go White” could be heard throughout the game when State needed that extra boost to stay defensively focused. The stat sheet won’t wow anyone and much like Manny Harris, the game highlights appeared ordinary. A step was taken by Michigan to put some meat back in this rivalry. I congratulate them on their disciplined play and their tough defense. It will serve them all too well in the NIT.  GO STATE!!!