Michigan State 54 Michigan 42

In the what was the ugliest game of the year for each team, Michigan State outlasted Michigan and held on for a 54-42 win in Ann Arbor. The Spartans improve to 20-4 (10-2) with a very impressive 6-0 Big Ten road record. The Wolverines, meanwhile, drop to 15-10 (5-7) and have their work cut out for them if they are to reach their goal of making the 65 team NCAA Tournament field.

Missed shots were the theme of the night. MSU shot 3 of 14 from long range. Michigan, which relies heavily on the three-point shot was only 4 of 24 from that distance. Couple all the missed shots with a combined 22 turnovers and it is easly to comprehend how this game was so low scoring.

Also contributing to the low scoring affair was what seemed to be an off-night by many of the games stars. Individual struggles were none more glaring than those of Manny Harris, who was harrassed by Travis Walton all night and finished with 7 points and 7 rebounds. He shot 2 of 10 and made 4 turnovers. Joining Harris in the game-to-forget category is Durrell Summers. His hot-streak came to a cold end in Crisler Arena, as he shot 3 of 8 and finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds. Goran Suton also put out a notably bare stat line, finishing with a measly 4 rebounds and 7 points on 2 of 7 shooting.

But there were some bright spots. Kalin Lucas had a serviceable if quiet game, and was an important ball-handling prescence. But three players stood out, and they are the three stars of the game:

• DELVON ROE - The first star of the game is the Freshman forward. He earned his first double-double as a Spartan, scoring 14 while grabbing 10 boards. He was 5 of 7 from the field and the main inside prescence for MSU. At one point with about 5 minutes left in the game I thought, "Delvon Roe is taking this game over." It was an impressive performance and a welcome sight for Spartan eyes, as this was the first glimpse of what a healthy Delvon Roe can do. From the opening tip it was clear Roe came to play and he established himself as the only inside threat the Spartan's had.

• DESHAWN SIMS - Michigan's only effective scorer is a fitting second star. He was great offensively, shooting 9 of 14 and scoring 18 points. Fouls limited him to only 25 minutes on the floor, but he thrived during those sparse minutes. He consistently created space inside against a deep MSU frountcourt, and was impressive in the paint. The blemish on his statline is an 0 for 3 from deep, and if he had hit one or two of those it would have been a spectacular night for Sims. As it stands, he was Michigan's only real threat and an impressive offensive weapon.
  


• TRAVIS WALTON - Somebody that didn't watch the game and only scanned the box score wouldn't understand Walton's inclusion on this list, but he definitely earned recognition after Tuesday night's defensive clinic. Manny Harris' 2 for 10 night can be directly attributed to Walton's defense, as he followed Harris all night and played great face-up defense. This isn't the first time Walton has shut down a prolific scorer, as AJ Abrams can attest. While Walton's game doesn't make Sportscenter highlights or garner mainstream recognition, it is just as valuable as having a prolific scorer. Make no mistake, Walton is as responsible for this win as much as anybody else on MSU's team.

What's Ahead:

MSU - Michigan State entreched themselves further as the conference favorite. They are 2.5 games ahead of the field in the conference title race, but face a tough road down the stretch. They will enjoy a week off before what is sure to be an overhyped game at Purdue. Their last 5 include 3 games at the Breslin Center, sandwiching a tough trip to Illinois and a game only two days later at Indiana. Barring a stumble, MSU should win the Big Ten. Don't expect them to win out, however. They will almost assuredly lose a few down the stretch, but still have positioned themselves to be a high seed come tournament time. A 2-3 seed is likely, but extreme successes or failures could bump them to a 1 seed, or down to as low as a 4.

UM - Michigan has dug themselves a deep hole. To reach their goal of an NCAA Tournament invite, they will have to win 4 of their last 6. Doing this will make them 9-9 in the Big Ten standings, and 19-12 overall. They will then turn their attention to the Big Ten tournament, where they may have to win one game to impress the selection committee enough to garner an invite. Winning 4 of 6 then going one and done will make them 20-13 with a .500 Big Ten record and a few marquee wins. It should be enough to get in. But 3-3 down the stretch or unacceptable losses to teams like Iowa/Northwestern will seal their NIT fate. First things first is a Sunday matinee at Northwestern, and unequivocally a "must-win" game. Even if UM falls short of the tournament, just being in the hunt is a positive step for the program.

MSU at Michigan Tonight

Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor tonight to meet Michigan in the season's only meeting between the same-state rivals. The two programs have had starkly different successes in the past decade, and there seems to be a talent gap again this year. Although the Wolverine's have improved greatly in John Beilein's second year, they will enter this game as home underdogs.

Michigan State is coming off a week that included 28 and 29 point wins. They have established themselves as the prohibitive favorites in the Big Ten, and now sit 2.5 games in front of the rest of the conference. They will put an unblemished Big Ten road record on the line tonight at Crisler, having won all 5 of their Big Ten road games to date. The Michigan team standing in their way split 2 games last week, and has lost 5 of their last 7. Saturday's loss to #1 UConn was a gritty loss, and although the existence of moral victories is debateable Michigan must have gained from confidence from going punch for punch with the top team in the country.

Michigan will pose some matchup problems for Michigan State. They will run a variety of zone defenses, and Michigan State has had great trouble with the zone at times this year. If UM forces MSU into long-range shots and they aren't falling, Michigan should have no problem hanging with MSU all game. Manny Harris also poses a bit of a matchup issue. Raymar Morgan will not play tonight, and although MSU has the athletes to matchup with Harris their depth is eliminated at that spot with Morgan's absence. Expect a variety of defenders to shadow Harris, including Durrell Summers, Travis Walton, and Chris Allen. All of those defenders will be shorter than Harris, and in Walton's case, 3-4 inches shorter. Harris could give the Spartans headaches if he can find a way to exploit individual matchups. But this game, as with most Michigan games, will come down to the Wolverine's long range shooting.

Everybody knows that Michigan chucks up a lot of 3's. Tonight should be no different, and whether the shots fall or not will affect multiple areas of the game. Made three's not only help out Michigan adding points to their score, but they will help keep points off the board for MSU. Michigan State loves to run the floor, pushing it at any opportunity. Missed three's will play perfectly into Michigan State's gameplan, as it will allow them to turn rebounds into instant offense, while Michigan is not afforded any time to organize defensively. If Michigan makes its three point shots, the extra second or two MSU takes to inbound the ball will slow down their fast-break game and allow Michigan to set its defense. And Michigan will shoot the three. MSU's man-to-man defense should force Michigan into a lot of pick and roll or kick and shoot plays, but Michigan will pull the trigger at every opportunity.

Las Vegas lists the Spartans as 4.5 point favorites in this game, but anything could happen. MSU is the more athletic and skilled team, but when Michigan makes its shots and plays great defense they have proven they can beat any team in the country. Add in the unique lighting of Crisler Arena and this game could be very close. Expect a tight game, with Michigan State's athleticism, depth, and superior rebounding to be the difference.

The Pick: Michigan State 64 Michigan 59