Michigan State Comes Back to Beat Illinois

Quick thoughts and things to consider after MSU's come from behind win over Illinois:

• ESPN's announcing crew consisted of Doris Burke and Dave O'Brien. Now traditionally, I'm not the biggest fan of female announcers, but Doris Burke is one of the better basketball analysts out there. Many times during the game Doris tried to get into some hardcore b-ball x's and o's, historical discussions, or player technique talk; and it was clear Dave O'Brien couldn't hang.

• Michigan State can push the ball upcourt. If it wasn't clear before the game, it certainly is now, as MSU's second half comeback was thanks in most part to their relentless fast-break.

• The Izzone was rocking. After a few questionable calls to wake it up, the student section erupted down the strech, climaxing after Raymar Morgans score-and-foul when it looked and sounded crazy in the Breslin.

• Speaking of questionable calls, how bad was the shot clock/three pointer play? I understand that there was an inadvertent whistle, but didn't it happen after MSU grabbed the rebound? And if you were going to give the ball back to Illinois, why was there 1 second on the shot clock when the ball clearly hit the rim? Shouldn't there have been 35 seconds? Just a terrible sequence of events by the referees.

• Michigan State is proving themselves to be very mentally tough. They were dealt some really tough blows in this game, and many other teams would have folded and accepted the loss. But the Spartans kept at it, storming back and winning in the end. After the aforementioned shot clock play, Izzo's technical foul, their stretch of turnovers, the Spartans had numerous opportunities to quit and never did. They look to be a VERY tough out come tournament time.

• Illinois is definitely one of the better Big Ten teams. They are no worse than 4th best in the league. They will be one of the tougher tests the Spartans face the rest of the way when they travel to Champaign on March 1.

• Who lit the fire under Marquise Gray's ass?

• I hate to put a damper on MSU's current win-streak, but you hate to think they are peaking too early. You want to win every game you play, but I just hope they aren't hitting their stride 3 months too soon.

• Next up: Northwestern at the Breslin Center on Wednesday, and at Ohio State on Sunday.