One of the most anticipated Michigan-Michigan State games in recent memory ended with Tom Izzo and the Spartans one step closer to another Big Ten championship.
No. 14 Michigan State beat No. 12 Michigan 75-62 on Friday night, handing the Wolverines their first home loss and moving into first place in the conference standings at 13-3. Michigan (20-6) now sits a half-game behind at 12-3.
The Wolverines have been one of the best stories in the Big Ten this season, their first under coach Dusty May. Friday, they ran into an old nemesis in Izzo, who passed Bob Knight to set the record for Big Ten coaching victories earlier this season. The Spartans played their usual stifling defense and held Michigan scoreless over the final four minutes, quieting a sellout crowd at the Crisler Center, where the Wolverines were 12-0 before Friday’s loss.
“They were able to answer every run,” said May, who agreed to a new five-year contract at Michigan before the game. “They were the aggressor. Tonight we didn’t look like a championship-caliber program.”
Michigan State entered the game as one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the nation but hit some big 3s against Michigan, including three in a row by Tre Holloman in the second half as the Spartans built their lead. Jase Richardson led Michigan State with 21 points, and Holloman added 18. Vlad Goldin had 21 for the Wolverines, who were 5-for-21 from 3-point range.
Tre Holloman goes back-to-back-to-back from beyond the arc 😲 @MSU_Basketball#B1GMBBall on FOX 📺 pic.twitter.com/7gFzXY3mcP
— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) February 22, 2025
Spartans in prime position for Big Ten title
Winning on Michigan’s home floor put the Spartans in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten and ensured the conference race will go through the Breslin Center. The Spartans play host to Wisconsin, one of the Big Ten’s hottest teams, on March 2 and finish the regular season at home against Michigan. They also play road games against Maryland and Iowa. With two weeks to play, Izzo’s 11th Big Ten championship is there for the taking.
Michigan isn’t eliminated in the Big Ten race, but the margin for error is slim. The Wolverines have tough games at home against Illinois and Maryland before their trip to East Lansing to close the regular season.
Michigan State was just outside the top 16 when the NCAA selection committee released its projections for the top four seeds in each region last week. Michigan made the cut at No. 14 and was projected as a No. 4 seed. The Wolverines aren’t likely to drop far, and the Spartans should climb after beating Purdue and Michigan in the span of four days.
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(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
