MSU can clinch a share Sunday

Michigan 87, Purdue 78. Catch the Wolverines at home, on a hot shooting night, with Manny Harris (27) points) and DeShawn Sims (29) both on, and you're in trouble. Now the Spartans can guarantee at least a piece of their first title since 2001 by winning Sunday at Illinois or Tuesday at Indiana.

    MSU could lose both games and still be playing for the title in the finale at home against Purdue.   
    Purdue fans will be talking about that third foul on JaJuan Johnson for a while. It was a bad call and left the Boilermakers with no bigs (because Nemanja Calasan was sick and out) for a long stretch. But Robbie Hummel did play, and played well with 24 points, and the Boilers still couldn't keep up.
    This was a good reminder about the importance of matchups. Michigan's offense, when executed like this, is a great counter for Purdue's aggressive defensive style. Against a packed-in, non-gambling man like MSU's, it isn't as effective. Plus, Hummel had to guard Sims for stretches and was abused, and Chris Kramer could do nothing to slow Harris.
    U-M has a shot at the NCAA Tournament again, although I don't like the Wolverines in either of their final two games, at Wisconsin and at Minnesota. If the Wolverines finish 8-10, they'll be in the 8-9 game against Northwestern on the first day of the Big Ten tourney, a must win.
    A victory there would probably bring a quarterfinals matchup with MSU. That could be fun, with a lot at stake for both teams. In the meantime, let's see if MSU can capitalize immediately, in a tough environment, on their beloved rivals' upset.
    P.S. For those who haven't tried for the MSU basketball DVDs, reply in the previous post. At this point, no one has been able to get all five correct.