Michigan’s Vlad Goldin completed a three-point play to give the Wolverines a 3-2 advantage over the Michigan State Spartans two minutes into the game. That was the last time Michigan led during MSU’s convincing 79-62 win on Senior Day in Lansing.
Goldin did what he could to keep his team in it, scoring 14 of Michigan’s first 17 points and finishing the game with 29 on 9-12 from the field and 11-14 at the line. Danny Wolf added 18 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. No other Wolverine scored more than 5.
The Spartans’ superior depth was on full display in their dominant, wire-to-wire victory to cap off their regular season Big Ten title. As much as Tom Izzo hates discussing his personal achievements, at this point it warrants recognition: he has gone from dark horse to obvious contender for 2025 Coach of the Year.
230225 Mich St Iowa Mbb 006 Jpg
From Unranked to Big Ten Titlists, Michigan State Spartans Deserve Their Flowers–And Tom Izzo Does, Too
Taking the team from unranked in the preseason to #8 coming into the week and only poised to climb higher, Izzo guided the Spartans to 7 straight victories to end the season. That stretch included wins over Illinois, 5th in the Big Ten in KenPom net rating, and 5 ranked opponents. Back on February 21, MSU defeated Michigan 75-62 at the Crisler Center before completing the series sweep at home on Sunday.
26-5 overall, the Spartans wrap up Big Ten play 17-3 as the 1-seed heading into the conference tournament, where they will receive a double bye before joining the Friday, March 14, at noon.
While college basketball features a number of strong COTY candidates, drubbing “big brother” in the finale, after MSU blew through that 7-game gauntlet, puts an exclamation point on Izzo’s argument.
It only helps that the man on the opposing sidelines, Michigan’s Dusty May, has seen his team’s stock fall down the stretch despite what is an altogether incredible rebound from going 8-24 last year.
Moreover, another Big Ten candidate, Wisconsin’s Greg Gard, has not been able to keep the Badgers from stumbling to a disappointing finish. His team has lost three of its last five games, including one to 6-14 Penn State on Saturday. The Spartans beat Wisconsin 71-62 when the teams squared off last Sunday.
Dangerous Depth Will Make This Team a Menace in March
There is also an appealing narrative that would accompany the award in Izzo’s case. The Spartans’ 16-point comeback win in Illinois gave Izzo the most Big Ten wins, 354, in NCAA history. He now has 360. Giving him the nod this season would aptly highlight his historic accomplishment.
In his 30th year at the program, Izzo, 70, also won’t be coaching that much longer. Objectively speaking, he has an excellent profile for the award; granting him his 5th trophy would be a well-deserved show of recognition for one of the generation’s greatest.
Regardless of which coach takes home the hardware, a drama about which Izzo could care less, their recent rampage has the Spartans set to finish in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2019-20.
They have vaulted to the 7th shortest Final Four and championship odds. The emergence of freshman guard Jase Richardson has given them the go-to scorer the team needs to go far. Richardson scored 18 points against Michigan on just 10 field goal attempts. And he didn’t even have to shoulder the brunt of the workload.
One of the biggest takeaways from the contest, commonplace in Spartans games this season, is the impressive backcourt depth on their roster. MSU outscored Michigan reserves 32-5.
Granted the traditional honor of kissing the Spartans logo in the postgame ceremony, junior Tre Holloman led the team with 20 points off the bench, having ceded his spot in the starting lineup earlier this season to accommodate team needs.
Senior Jaden Akins, the team’s leading scorer this season at 13.0 PPG, finished with 11 points. Both he and Richardson contributed 5 boards and 3 assists. Point guard Jeremy Fears scored 7 points despite taking, and missing, only one field goal, and dished out 6 dimes to go with 3 steals.
Whoever draws the Spartans in the NCAA tournament will have a tough task shutting down their variety of weapons. Izzo knows how to get his guys to fight. If MSU’s recent play is any indicator, the Spartans will be battling deep into March.
For More Great Hardwood Heroics Content
Follow ezsniper14 on X for more great content. To read more articles and keep up to date on the latest in NBA and College Basketball, click here!
