MSU Wins Big Ten Tournament, Grabs #1 Seed out West

Last weekend the Spartans watched as Ohio State celebrated William Buford’s last second heroics earning the Buckeyes a share of the Big Ten title. The scene in the Breslin Center for senior night was somber. The Spartans just won a Big Ten Championship, but had to share it bitterly with Ohio State and adding to the pain was the fact the Ann Arbor got to celebrate as well.

Fast forward one week to the Big Ten Tournament final and MSU made it clear that they were the champions of the Big Ten Conference. It was a game that featured numerous lead changes. It was better than any conference tournament game anywhere this college basketball season. When the horn sounded the Spartans stood center court with the Big Ten’s player and coach of the year hoisting the championship trophy. Thirty-two minutes later CBS announced the Spartans as the #1 seed of the NCAA’s West Region. It was a seeding well deserved. It was earned on so many levels.

The game was an impressive combination of both athleticism and pure guts. MSU would make a big play and OSU would answer with two of its own. Ohio State looked like they were poised to break the game open when senior guard Brandon Wood took over for the Spartans. He hit a series of consecutive jumpers reminiscent of his Spartan brethren more than a decade earlier.

Wood was terrific on both ends of the floor, but it was his offense that carried the Spartans dropping 21 big points through the basket. Wood spoke about his Big Ten tournament experience often smiling and shaking his head in disbelief. “ Man, it's crazy. I was actually talking to my dad last night about this, just the whole decision of me choosing to transfer. And we were talking about how we'd never been 100 percent sure on a decision. But it's kind of hard to say this decision wasn't 100 percent, a positive decision for me and for my team. So it just feels great just to be a part of this group and just to see personally my hard work pay off and for me to make it to this point. And I got to give all the thanks to Coach (Izzo) and Draymond just for believing in me and accepting me into the program.”

Keith Appling and Aaron Kraft were the ball defenders everyone’s gushed about all season. They boxed for 12 solid rounds, each of them winning their respective rounds throughout the contest. Sullinger was the game’s most impressive player today. It is hard to believe MSU won the game with such a poor shooting performance from their All-American Draymond Green. He finished the game 4-15 from the floor, but put the game away with the game’s biggest shot, knocking down a 3-pointer when State’s offense went stagnant.

Green’s struggles were actually a blessing in disguise. Michigan State learned that they could win with other guys. Nix gave them some key baskets. Adreian Payne slammed home the best dunk of the tourney with a left hand tomahawk; he showed off the two-handed variety earlier in the game. Kearney gave MSU some big minutes and finished a couple big baskets around the goal. This was a team win. It is the type of win that propels teams deep into the NCAA Tournament.  This MSU team passes the eye test; it looks tough. It plays tough. It does not wilt under pressure. Most importantly, there are no pouters or sulkers on the floor when adversity hits.

Green talked about the emotion surrounding the game against Ohio State and what the win signifies for his Spartan team. “One thing we always talk about is we never play for revenge at Michigan State. It's never about getting someone back. They took the last game. They did screw up some things for us, but it's more so looking ahead. And we were playing for a No. 1 seed, which we knew that was a possibility. And we were playing to do something that hasn't been done here since '99, 2000. That's all the motivation we needed.”

After Green was done speaking, it was Tom Izzo’s turn to talk about his team. He smiled a lot and took time to credit both Ohio State’s talent and tenacity. He spoke with a lot of satisfaction and looked a lot happier than he did a week earlier. Here’s what the conference’s coach of the year had to say about the game. “ I thought our defense was really good, and our 3-point defense was really, really good. And that's what you gotta live and die with.”

Izzo’s final words were both candid and complimentary. He believes that the Big Ten has a real opportunity to make noise in March.  “I'll close by saying Ohio State is still every bit as good. I think they can make a run in this tournament, a big run. I think there's a lot of Big Ten teams that can. I don't think there's anybody or very many teams that are that much better than the rest, unfortunately. A lot of us aren't that much better than the others either. So it should be a heck of a tournament just like it was a heck of a league race, and I'm hoping our defense and our togetherness and our camaraderie and our staff as far as knowing what to do in the NCAA Tournament can make a difference. We'll see if we can make a run.”

On Sunday night the Spartans were crowned champions of the Big Ten Conference. A trip to represent the West as the #1 seed awaits the Spartans. First they need to dance their way through Columbus on Friday and Sunday. There’s no reason to think these Spartans can’t dance there way to New Orleans. After all, Mr. March is in charge and ‘Day-Day’ wants another banner. GO GREEN!!!