A few more quick thoughts from Minny
First, links. Just in case, the gamer. From the Minnesota perspective, a devastating loss. From this columnist's perspective, a collapse.
For MSU, its seniors finish 4-0 at Williams Arena, with three dramatic wins -- particularly the last two. The only other Big Ten arena at which they've gone 4-0 is Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan. The only other Big Ten arena at which they haven't lost is Crisler Arena (2-0, didn't play there in 2008). That's up for grabs on March 5.
Issues I couldn't get to in the gamer: MSU's trouble with Minnesota's zone -- the first steady diet of zone for MSU since it last played Northwestern, and this is a very different zone. The Spartans won because they found some transition and made some effort to work the ball inside against that zone in the second half. Adreian Payne gave MSU a lift, and so did Mike Kebler, who played 25 minutes -- three more than Durrell Summers, and that shouldn't surprise anyone at this point. Kebler is defending at a high level and providing some stability for the offense. Speaking of defense, Kalin Lucas is playing it again. We've been talking of his improved health and how it has affected his offense, but his lateral movement looks much better to me lately. He would not let Blake Hoffarber breathe late in the game. Finally, after watching the replay I can't figure out why Ed Hightower called Minnesota for the foul that led to Keith Appling's winning free throws. It looked like a minimal bump at best. At that point in the game, you swallow the whistle and let the players decide the game. MSU had the rebound and would have set up for a final shot.
And with that ... talk to you tomorrow. The live chat is on at 10 a.m.
