The Michigan State Spartans secured a hard-fought, yet pivotal 71-62 win over the Wisconsin Badgers. With the victory, the Spartans overtook the Michigan Wolverines for first place in the Big Ten standings. However, head coach Tom Izzo was far from satisfied with the performance, issuing a stern warning to his players.
The Spartans ultimately found a way to prevail over the visiting Badgers at Breslin Center. Thanks to the Wolverinesâ mishap against Illinois in Ann Arbor, Michigan State took sole possession of the top spot in the Big Ten conference standings with two games remaining in the regular season.
Despite a slow start to the game, falling behind 34-32 at halftime, the Spartans clawed their way back and defeated Winsconsin by a final score of 71-62. Guard Jaden Akins ended the night with 19 points and 8 rebounds, while forward Jaxon Kohler registered an NCAA career-high 16-rebound mark in the game.
Despite those individual performances, Izzo walked out of the game concerned with his teamâs outing. Despite having enough reasons to celebrate, the Spartansâ head coach sent a strong warning to the locker room.
Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on before the start of the game against the Purdue Boilermakersat Breslin Center on February 18, 2025 in East Lansing, Michigan.
âI just want to keep getting better. We didnât get better today.,â Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said, via The Detroit News. âI thought we just did some things that were unlike us, and then we did some really good things too, in the rebounding and the running and made some shots.â
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March Madnessâ nerves
As the calendar turns to March, a new wave of emotions takes over college basketball. Every game means a little more, every possession, every basketâanything can trigger a costly domino effect, and nobody wants the season to be for nothing due to a mistake.
As the attention of the country shifts to the NCAA basketball tournament, the spotlight is on every program to perform. Izzo admits that it can be a nerve-wracking feeling.
âYou get to this time of year and everybodyâs telling me how good you are, and sometimes I think we donât handle that well,â Izzo added. âBut I donât know if any team handles that well. And I donât handle it well. If you tell me weâre good, I say the opposite, but thereâs a reason.â
Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after scoring in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 26, 2025 in College Park, Maryland.
Rivalry Week
Michigan is one game behind Michigan State in the standings with two games remaining in the regular season. Next, the Wolverines will face Maryland, while the Spartans will visit the Iowa Hawkeyes.
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If both teams emerge victorious, or if the Wolverines win while the Spartans lose, their Rivalry Week matchup in the final game of the season will be a winner-takes-all for the Big Ten regular season title.
