The Michigan State Spartans held off the Fighting Illini 80 to 75 to take the win and a record of 18-4, which leaves them third in the Big Ten. The Illinois lead by 10 at the half, 37 to 27 with just one turnover but in the second half, the fell back down to earth as they came out cold going nearly six minutes with a field goal. By 16:37 in the second half, the Spartans took the lead at 37 to 39 and never looked back, though it remained a close game.
Keith Appling showed up big in the closing minutes with penetration in the key then feeding Brandon Lawson up top in the post for a huge slam. With 44 seconds left, once again Appling’s cross-over and spin move in the middle of the paint lead to a layup and put the Spartans up by four points. Leading scorers for the Spartans included Appling with 24, Valentine and Harris with 14 apiece and Dawson with 12. For the Fighting Illini, Abrahms scored 16, followed by Richardson with 14 and Paul with 12. Michigan States next challege with be against the Minnesota Gophers on February 6th.
Tom Izzo is one of the best X and O’s guy in the game and his teams usually play better the longer they’re in the March Madness tournament. Look for them to get better from now until March. If by chance you see the Spartans as an early underdog in the third or fourth round, remember to choose Michigan State and keep that bracket in tact.
PLAYER ROSTER/STATS AREA
| # | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | Class | PPG | RPG | APG | TO | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Keith Appling | G | 6’1′ | 190 | Jr. | 24 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| 22 | Branden Dawson | G | 6’6′ | 220 | So. | 12 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 25 | Derrick Nix | C | 6’9′ | 260 | Jr. | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Adreian Payne | F | 6’10’ | 240 | Jr. | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 14 | Gary Harris | G | 6’4′ | 205 | Fr. | 14 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 45 | Denzel Valentine | G | 6’6′ | 210 | Fr. | 14 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Alex Guana | F | 6’9′ | 240 | So. | 14 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
TEAM SCHEDULE AREA
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Feb. 6 | Minnesota |
| Feb. 9 | at Purdue |
| Feb. 12 | Michigan |
| Feb. 16 | at Nebraska |
| Feb. 19 | Indiana |
| Feb. 24 | at Ohio State |
| Mar. 2 | at Michigan |
| Mar. 3 | at Michigan |
| Mar. 7 | Wisconsin |
| Mar. 10 | Northwestern |
MARCHVEGAS 2013To catch the Michigan State Spartans for March Madness, why not take a break, “March to Vegas” and see all the excitement at once for the first round of the tournament? Watch hoops and gamble by day, play and party by night for 4 blissful days; it’ll feel just like a 4-day™ holiday.
MARCHVEGAS 2013 is from Thursday March 21st till Sunday March 24th. Though visiting Las Vegas is the greatest during this time, it is only optional. You must think real hard young Jedi and decide if you want to “work” or take the MARCHVEGAS 4-day Holiday. If you choose the later, then Sign the Petition, “Make MARCHVEGAS a 4-day holiday and check out our travel options to Las Vegas.
By Roy George
[MARCHVEGAS] – noun 1. “March to Vegas” symbolizes the humanistic tendency to march, migrate, or advance as a deliberate or organized body in a habitual manner back to Las Vegas. 2. Marriage of March Madness and Las Vegas, especially during tournament time. 3. The “MARCHVEGAS 4-day™ Holiday” (March 21 – 24, 2013) – Sign the Petition.