Spartans Take Care of the Golden Gophers 60-53 and Move to 4-0 in the Big Ten

East Lansing, MI Breslin Center  If you like football then tonight’s game at the Breslin was for you. Sitting courtside you could hear the bodies

East Lansing, MI

Breslin Center

The Gophers did all they could to contain the Spartans, but couldn't keep up here at the Breslin. Photo courtesy of Mark Boomgaard

 

If you like football then tonight’s game at the Breslin was for you. Sitting courtside you could hear the bodies hitting as good as any game at the high cathedral of the Spartan Nation: Spartan Stadium.

 

That was fitting considering pre game Mark Dantonio chatted with Tom Izzo on the Spartan bench and half time was dedicated to Greg Jones decision to stay another year from earlier in the day.

 

Reminiscent of some of the Kentucky vs. MSU battles when Minnesota coach Tubby Smith was there, this was a physical match up. To their credit the refs called it both ways and let the teams bang. “Physical play happens and you have to be strong if you want to take it inside,” was how Minnesota Coach Tubby Smith described the style of the game.

 

Izzo was equally as impressed with the style of play, “I knew it was going to be a knock down dragged out game and it was.” For the record, I think it was one of the most balanced officiating jobs this season that the Spartans have been involved in.

 

Durrell Summers was the straw that mixed the Spartans drink early. He finished with 13 points and led the team with eight boards. He took over the first half at the 4:20 mark. He had an amazing dunk off of a feed from Lucas and another big dunk at 3:43. When he nailed a three to make it 28-23, he cemented the Spartans march to the lead in the first half. Izzo praised his sophomore star, “Durrell got some big time rebounds and that turned the game.”

 

The Spartans were up and down the court, and even with the physicality of the game their clear advantage in the speed department was more than the Gophers could overcome. 

 

With all the talk about freshman Derrick Nix’s struggles from the line (one of two tonight) his pinpoint passing and the best defense of his young career was evident. He is developing and you can see glimpses of what he will become. Izzo praised his youngster, “I was really happy with how Nix played…he has amazing feet…and I have a lot of respect for him.”

 

The Gophers effort was gallant, but down the stretch the Spartans were too much. The Spartans had only ten turnovers, a point of emphasis all season from Izzo. In fact Izzo had said it was a key to the game earlier in the week. “We won the battle.”

 

The Spartans bench was truly the MVP. They outscored the Gophers and amazing 27-3 and truly were the difference along with the Spartans speed.

 

“Good teams do what Michigan State does, they find ways to win,” was how Tubby Smith broke the game down. From Izzo’s perspective, “They outworked us the first half, we weren’t loafing, but they took it to another level in the first half.”

 

The Spartans move their record to 14-3 and an amazing 4-0 in the Big Ten on the year. They face Illinois on Saturday here at the Breslin and one week from tonight against Iowa, again at home. With the way they are playing and the layout of the schedule, the Spartans could be on the precipice of a special year.

 

In ten days these two teams go at it again in Minneapolis and that is one game that you need to circle on the calendar. At the infamous “Barn” that could be a real battle. Of course Spartan Nation will be there.

 

 

Quote of the Night:

From Kyle Feldshcer, a senior at MSU and a member of the Izzone. As I stated above, the game was very physical and after Kalin Lucas was essentially assaulted under the board and no foul was called, “Come on Ref, we’ve had football players arrested for less than that.”