With Chris Allen on the Trip Spartans Look to Put Minnesota and Distractions Behind Them

The Spartans will tip off their quarterfinal game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers tonight at roughly 9:30. Guard Chris Allen made the trip with the

The Spartans will tip off their quarterfinal game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers tonight at roughly 9:30. Guard Chris Allen made the trip with the Spartans and as they look to put the Gophers and the distractions behind them, they are ready.

Good news for the Spartan Nation: Izzo didn't leave Chris Allen home! Photo courtesy of Mark Boomgaard

 

Their opponents are also, and even with the emotion of an opening round win they are facing a better team they know they have to play exceptional to beat the Spartans. “Last time we played Michigan State we lost by one point, and we made a lot of mistakes in the last four minutes, so I definitely think we can pull off the upset. They're a good team, and we're definitely going to need to come and play real good basketball to beat them,” was Devoe Joseph’s thoughts.

 

The Big Ten tournament isn’t at the Gopher’s barn this time and the incredible crowd that helped them in Minneapolis won’t be here. The Spartans won that game on a last second shot by Kalin Lucas.

 

Gopher head Coach Tubby Smith, doesn’t think the temporary loss of Allen will hurt the deep Spartans badly, “They have a lot of depth, and that's why their team is always – he (Izzo) plays a lot of players, so I'm not sure -- I don't think it will affect how we will approach the game and how we will prepare for the game.”

 

This is a huge game for the Gophers who are still on the NCAA proverbial bubble and have no shot without a win today and even more than that. The Spartans are playing for a higher seed and both schools have a sense of urgency.

 

In fact Tom Izzo said it even more succinctly earlier in the week saying, “I do have something to prove.” 

 

You have to love the intensity of a day filled with games that the “Little Dance” brings, but waiting until 9:30 can make the day seem to drag on. For now, the Spartans get ready for what should be a great game and a five point Spartan win.