No. 7 Michigan State cruised past Minnesota with a decisive score of 73-51, marking their 13th consecutive win on Tuesday night. Tre Holloman showcased his skills by scoring all 12 of his points in the first half, while Jaden Akins contributed 10 points to the team’s success.
The Spartans, now boasting an impressive record of 18-2 and a perfect 9-0 in the Big Ten, have achieved their longest winning streak since the 2018-19 season. This remarkable run coincides with Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo’s eighth and most recent Final Four appearance. Notably, this is the first time in Izzo’s three-decade coaching career that his squad has gone undefeated throughout December and January, as reported by MLive.
On the other hand, the Golden Gophers, with a record of 11-10 and 3-7 in conference play, had recently found their rhythm, winning three straight Big Ten games, including victories over then-No. 15 Oregon and then-No. 20 Michigan.
The Spartans established a commanding 22-point lead in the first half, finishing the period with a 36-16 advantage. They maintained control throughout the second half, effortlessly securing another victory.
Takeaways
For Minnesota, after tying their longest conference winning streak in four seasons under coach Ben Johnson, there is potential for further success. With eight of their final ten games against teams in the lower half of the conference, the Gophers have a chance to improve their standing.
[Related: Tom Izzo says approaching Big Ten wins record “Supersedes all my dreams”]
Michigan State’s roster is impressively balanced, featuring a unique dynamic this season. They are the only team in the AP Top 25 with just one player averaging double-digit points, while seven Spartans contribute seven or more points per game.
Key moment
A pivotal moment occurred when Holloman sank three 3-pointers in a span of just 53 seconds during the first half, expanding an 11-point lead to a commanding 20-point advantage.
Key stat
An alarming statistic for the Gophers was that they remained scoreless until the 14:10 mark of the first half, highlighting the Spartans’ strong defensive performance.
Up next
Looking ahead, Michigan State will face USC, while Minnesota will host Washington on Saturday.
