What a win

For the first time since very early in the season (when all of us weren't sure how good they'd be) these Spartans did some things I wasn't sure possible. The fact that they out-toughed, out-executed and outplayed a team like that in the final five minutes of a close game ... is pretty unbelievable, frankly.

This was MSU's second win over a No. 1 team in its history (the 1979 title game over Indiana State was the other), and it's obviously the "signature" win that will make it very hard for the NCAA selection committee to keep the Spartans out, unless they completely fall apart from here.

It's also a tasty bit of payback, of course. No team has been a bigger thorn in MSU's backside than Wisconsin. No coach has given Tom Izzo more problems than Bo Ryan. To recap...

* Ryan's first team upset MSU here in 2002, breaking the Spartans' 53-game home winning streak.
* The next season, Wisconsin won the teams' only matchup in Madison, with an alley-oop dunk in the waning seconds angering Izzo and touching off the Bo-Tom "feud" that we all enjoyed writing about for the next couple years.
* The biggie came in 2004. MSU had a chance to beat the Badgers to clinch a share of the Big Ten championship. A banner hung in the rafters, waiting to be unfurled. Fireworks were planned. But Devin Harris hit a tying 3-pointer late and Wisconsin snuck away with the win in overtime. I don't think I've ever seen a team or coach as crushed after a loss.
* A couple weeks later, Harris hit a go-ahead 3-pointer late in a comeback win for the Badgers in the Big Ten Tournament semis. MSU led for about the entire game and played great ... then came up like Wile E. Coyote again.
* And again. The Spartans controlled the 2005 Big Ten opener in Madison -- then blew a 9-point lead in the final couple minutes to lose. This was the one that touched off the "losers" column by another paper on the Spartans, and led to a year of angst, before they put it together for an amazing Final Four run.

Since then, MSU has won three of four in the series. After starting 0-6 against Ryan, Izzo is now 3-7. And he finally has a win that will sit with the Badgers for some time -- especially if it costs them the Big Ten title. That will be determined Sunday, when Wisconsin visits Ohio State.

Ya think the Badgers might be a bit fired up for MSU's visit on March 3?

Comments

[donaldo]

I sat in a liitle bar in a northern California beach town, watching on a fuzzy screen, but this was one of the most satisfying victories I've witnessed in over 30 years of following Spartan basketball. The heart that this team displayed was inspiring. Neitzel put this squad on his back and didn't let up. He is truly in the mold of Mateen Cleaves and Earvin Johnson.Intense defense and determined rebounding with some huge three point shots buried the Badgers. This is the time to feed off that momentum as Indiana comes to town. As unlikely as it seemed a couple of weeks ago, this team can finish with a flurry and be 9-7 going into the Big 10 Tournament. Great performance tonight Spartans.

[John Sheldon]

Maybe he should be coaching the football team...

Can we get some deets on that post-game handshake between coaches?

[Kevin]

I'm going to walk around with a big goofy grin on my face for the next few days... It's nights like tonight that I'll never forget. Great to be a Spartan!

[Joel]

What a great game! I think Neitzel was just unbelievable, but the key to the win was Travis Walton, with 13 points, 7 boards, and 10 assists (if I remember right). But the even bigger accomplishment from him was shutting down Tucker. Tucker did have 16 points but only 2 in the second half. Also, 12 were from 3-point range (a couple that he just chucked up there, praying). So what's my point? Walton, the point guard, shut Tucker down in th post. He only had four points down low, 2 of them on a missed rebound from Suton which left him wide open, and the other 2 on a wide open fast break. Kudos to Walton for playing such lock-down D on a stellar player.

[JMCSpartan08]

Raymar took him to school a little bit as well on the offensive side of the court. When I saw he was matched up with Raymar I was afraid it would be one of those days when noone would score except Drew, but Raymar definately worked his butt off on offense especially in the post. If anyone didn't think he was the real deal...THINK AGAIN!

[jtery]

Congradulations coach Izzo, I have
said B-4,"this is difinitely your
best season coaching.This 'Bo' guy
definitely was having good fortune
.Your recruiting Walton was a great job and to be compared to C.
Bell is a great complement (we all
are proud of his productivity with
the Milwaukee Bucks).

Coach go get some rest and close
this season is style and good for-
tune in the Ncaa's,once you are in
absolutely! anything could happen,
and with us-we will be thankful.
Just one thing coach-PLEASE ask
your IZZONE to refrain from the
'over-rated'chant-lets just cele-
brate our victor-lead don't follow
as it relates to sportsmanship.

[Cmoney]

What a WIN... they deserved it!

[Herb Riedel]

Rodent infestation eliminated in E.L.

[Andy]

Hey, those points look vaguely familiar Joe! (see my comments on two earlier blog posts)

Still glowing with that W. A memory maker indeed.

[Brett]

I'm not sure that I have felt so good about a MSU team like this ever. I had all I could to catch a couple ZZ's last night. What a win and what a competitor Neitzel is. Man does he have a portion of Mateen's heart in his body. Everyone played well last night from Walton down to Ibok. State really came out with a determined look in their eyes last night and it was really something to watch. All that said I am interested to see how this team handles bouncing back on Saturday Night against a tough Indiana team. I'm sure that Izzo will drive home the point to not let up for the final games of the season. If you remember the Illinois game there after State had just played Ohio St. and made a heck of a comeback. The first half of that game was ugly. Everyone has settled into their roles now and Izzo has a good rotation so let's hope that they don't lose focus. Sit on this big win for a day and then get back to work. The way they play defense this team has some potential. Got State!!!!!

[Brett]

I'm not sure that I have felt so good about a MSU team like this ever. I had all I could to catch a couple ZZ's last night. What a win and what a competitor Neitzel is. Man does he have a portion of Mateen's heart in his body. Everyone played well last night from Walton down to Ibok. State really came out with a determined look in their eyes last night and it was really something to watch. All that said I am interested to see how this team handles bouncing back on Saturday Night against a tough Indiana team. I'm sure that Izzo will drive home the point to not let up for the final games of the season. If you remember the Illinois game there after State had just played Ohio St. and made a heck of a comeback. The first half of that game was ugly. Everyone has settled into their roles now and Izzo has a good rotation so let's hope that they don't lose focus. Sit on this big win for a day and then get back to work. The way they play defense this team has some potential. Got State!!!!!

[IASpartan]

It is not easy being Green here in Hawkeye country...but I couldn't be more proud to be a Spartan! GO GREEN!

[Munisingmike]

A "OUTSTANDING" TEAM EFFORT-VICTORY. Not only did they prove that they can play and beat the best of them, they have gotten their confidence back and are taking charge. Many comments have been posting regarding Coach Izzo, with a majority of them being very positive which in my opinion should be, but I recall one not so long ago that wasn't and I would like to direct my comments to that person who suggested that Izzo was "inhaling through a hollow reed". My suggestion to that comment is, two fold, one "if brains were dynamite, you would be safe" and the other is, oh well, the first says it all. CONGRATULATIONS COACH IZZO AND THE MIGHTY SPARTANS. May you continue prove what determination, effort and team effort can do......

[JKramer]

I work second shift and was anticipating the game all day, though I knew I couldn't watch it. When I came home for lunch, I learned of the historical win that took place. The toughness they displayed(I heard) brought tears to my eyes. I believe the unity and emotion they have displyed since the opening Big Ten Iowa loss has been not only obvious but monumental in their climb towards postseason. Coach Izzo knows how to challenge and motivate this time of year. It is one of his greatest talents.(pre-post season push) Hence the 10 straight tourney bids. Lets make it 11! Good luck Spartans! GO GREEN, GO WHITE!!!