Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING, Jan. 30, 2024 ~ The Michigan State Spartans defeated their instate rivals the Michigan Wolverines 81-62 for Tom Izzo’s 700th career win.
The Wolverines had the edge over the Spartans at the start of the game at the Breslin Center. Michigan led by nine at one point in the first half, but the Spartans got the score within two going into halftime. Wolverines’ Jael Llewellyn got them to lead at 12 points, shooting 3/3 from deep in the first half.
The Spartans started to have their way at the beginning of the second half. Michigan State’s Jaden Akins got hot for the Spartans, scoring a career-high career-high 23 points.
Michigan State’s Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard have played some of the biggest roles offensively for the Spartans all season. However, Walker and Hoggard underdelivered in the first half.
Fortunately for Michigan State, Walker and Hoggard performed stronger in the second half. Walker racked up 12 points and Hoggard began to facilitate Michigan State’s offense with 7 assists and 15 points. Hoggard in the game’s effort was able to achieve his 1,000-career point.
The Spartan’s defense was also a major factor in their victory over the Wolverines, as they had 20 points off turnovers.
On his birthday no less, Tom Izzo was able to offer post-game comments on what the rivalry with Michigan means to him:
“When you play your rival, it doesn’t matter if they’re 0-10 in football and you’re 10-0, rivalries are rivalries. Was it a little different? It was a little different because we were both struggling a little bit. No, still had butterflies last night. Still didn’t sleep well last night. That’ll never change.”
With the win, Michigan State improves to an even record of 5-5 in the Big Ten Conference and 13-8 overall. The Spartans remain at home for a matchup with another Big Ten opponent in Maryland on Saturday. This will be the Spartans’ second meeting with the Terrapins this season as Michigan State barely had the edge over Maryland earlier this month. Coverage starts at 4:30 p.m. on 760 WJR.
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