COLUMN: Michigan and MSU win, but which win was more important?

Michigan destroys Michigan State 69-50 to capture the Big Ten Championship 

The first half was a close game; Michigan led the entire way but Michigan State didn’t back down. Every time, Michigan would take an eight or nine point lead. Michigan State’s Aaron Henry would make two baskets and push the game to four or five. It looked as if we were going to have a close game until with a little bit over two minutes left on the clock; Michigan State’s Aaron Henry picked up a flagrant foul, his second. He had to sit for the rest of the first half. That was a huge moment because Instead of a five or maybe a three point lead for Michigan at the half, it turned into an 11 point lead. Michigan’s 9-2 run, gave Michigan a 39-28 lead into the locker room. 

Michigan State scored the first two baskets of the second half and got two crucial defensive stops to cut the lead to seven. But a loose ball scrum that went right into Michigan’s Franz Wagner who hit a three to push the lead back to 10 gave Michigan all the momentum. Michigan then went on a 22-4 run to push the lead to 64-36. Michigan State’s Aaron Henry and Joshua Langford looked tired in the second half; they were short on almost all their shots. While Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson and Franz Wagner just looked dominant. Michigan State went on a little run to cut the defect to 19, but was way too late to matter. Michigan is the regular season Big Ten champion. 

Michigan State picks up crucial win vs rival Michigan to secure a tournament bid

After being embarrassed on Thursday, Michigan State was looking for revenge, and they delivered with a 70-64 victory. With the win Michigan State has almost guaranteed a spot in the NCAA tournament. 

Unlike on Thursday, Michigan State jumped out to an early 5-2 lead. Then, Michigan’s guard Eli Brooks landed badly on his leg and was unable to return. Whether that was a huge deciding factor in the game or not, Michigan State took a 30-26 lead into half.  

The second was as close as the first half. Michigan cut the lead to one possession on a few separate occasions. But a huge put back basket by Marcus Bingham put Michigan State’s lead up to six. Michigan State then extended its lead to 10 points but Michigan came firing back, cutting the lead to 61-59, after a Hunter Dickinson three point play. Michigan had all the momentum and Michigan State needed a basket, and who else to get it but fifth year senior Joshua Langford. Joshua Langford hit the three pointer with a minute left to push the lead to five. That was the nail in the coffin. Michigan State won 70-64 and will now extend its 23-year streak of making the NCAA Tournament.