Photos by: Aaron J. Thornton
The Breslin Center in E. Lansing was buzzing with energy this past Friday night. In a game featuring the highest combined ranking ever between the Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans (No. 3 versus No. 7), it didn’t disappoint. Unless you were maybe rooting for the home team Spartans.
Michigan came on the court for warmups to the expected chorus of taunts and heckling from the Spartan faithful, but when the final buzzer sounded, the Wolverines would get the last laugh. With an 83-71 victory, Michigan snapped a seven game losing streak at Breslin and seized sole possession of first place in the Big Ten Conference.
Despite the ending result, Michigan State fought hard throughout. After falling behind by as many as 18 points in the first half, the Spartans rallied and came back with a determined second half surge. MSU did not only erase the deficit and tie the game with just under eight minutes remaining, but they took the lead shortly after on a layup by point guard Jeremy Fears Jr.
Behind one of the loudest crowds Breslin has seen all season, the momentum swung sharply after the break in Michigan State’s favor and Coach Tom Izzo’s team once again was proving to the world why they are never out of a game, especially on their home court.
However the lead for the team in green and white would only be enjoyed briefly as the Wolverines would come together to weather the Spartan storm. Michigan responded with poise, regaining the lead less than one minute later, and they didn’t look back. Extending their lead and going back up by three, then six and then with just one minute remaining the MSU deficit was ten points which all but silenced the disheartened crowd.
Statistically, the teams were remarkably even. Rebounds and assists were deadlocked at 36 and 14, Michigan State committed just one more turnover in the game, and both teams finished with identical free throw makes. The difference came down to shooting efficiency.
Neither side shot great, but Michigan was clearly the more effective unit. The Wolverines shot 44 percent from the field and 38 percent from three point range, while the Spartans struggled to find consistency, finishing at 37 percent overall and a frigid 17 percent from beyond the arc. Michigan’s ability to knock down four more three pointers proved decisive in the 12 point margin.
Jeremy Fears Jr, who has stepped up with big performances over the past few games, led all scorers with 31 points. He also added a game high 7 assists to his stat line. Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr, and Jordan Scott also reached double figures in points in the loss for the Spartans.
The Wolverines were led by Yaxel Lendeborg who finished with a double-double, scoring 26 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Elliot Cadeau contributed 17 points, connecting on 5 of his 8 shots from the field. Morez Johnson Jr. and Trey McKenney chipped in 12 and 10 points each.
After the game, Coach Izzo talked about the poor offense by his team and being disappointed not only in the shooting but his team as a whole. He praised his point guard Fears Jr, saying that “it’s a shame Jeremy played as well as he could have played in a lot of ways but just didn’t get enough help”. Izzo additionally voiced frustration with several officiating decisions, calling some of the calls “bazaar”.
Losing at home to your rival is never easy. Michigan State will get its chance at redemption when the two teams meet again in Ann Arbor on March 8, closing out the regular season with what promises to be another heated chapter in this storied rivalry.
The victory by Michigan improves their record to an astonishing 20-1 on the season. They will host Penn State (10-12) on Thursday at Crisler Center. Michigan State (19-3) will travel to play Minnesota (10-12) on Wednesday night.
Final Score: Michigan 83 – Michigan State 71
