Michigan State topped Michigan in an intense showdown, winning 79-62, with Tre Holloman leading the Spartans with a career-high 20 points and Jase Richardson contributing 18 points.
As the game neared its conclusion, a brief scuffle erupted on the court. Michigan guard Phat Phat Brooks shoved Holloman after he pushed Wolverines guard L.J. Cason at midcourt of the Breslin Center, a venue steeped in tradition where seniors have been kissing the Spartans’ logo during their final home games since Shawn Respert’s iconic moment in 1995.
With just 37.2 seconds remaining, Brooks and Cason were positioned at center court after teammate Justin Pippen made his first free throw. Holloman approached, pushed Cason, and Brooks retaliated with a two-handed shove.
Officials, along with Michigan coach Dusty May and Michigan State assistants, intervened to separate the heated players.
“Are we not allowed to stand at half court while they’re shooting free throws?” May remarked sarcastically. “They earned the right to rub our noses in it. We need to play better and get tougher. We move on and compete for another Big Ten Tournament championship this week.”
Following the altercation, Michigan State resumed its tradition and completed a season sweep against their rivals.
During the postgame festivities, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo invited Holloman, a junior, to kiss the school’s logo on the court.
“No shame in your tradition,” Izzo told the enthusiastic crowd.
Izzo emphasized the significance of this tradition, stating, “That’s what rivalries are all about. If everyone is out there hugging and kissing, it’s probably not a rivalry.”
The Spartans concluded the regular season with an impressive record of 26-5, including a remarkable seven-game winning streak, five of which were against AP Top 25 teams.
Michigan State secured the Big Ten’s inaugural basketball title with 18 teams, finishing three games ahead of the Wolverines and No. 13 Maryland.
Coach Izzo, a Hall of Famer, now boasts 11 Big Ten titles, equaling the record set by Purdue’s Ward “Piggy” Lambert in 1990 and matched by Indiana’s Bob Knight in 1993.
On the other hand, the Wolverines (22-9, 14-6) are facing challenges, having lost three consecutive games, the most in a row this season.
Michigan’s Vladislav Goldin scored 29 points, while Danny Wolf only found his rhythm late in the game, scoring 15 of his 18 points in the second half.
Takeaways
Michigan: Coach May’s debut has exceeded expectations, but the Wolverines are struggling at a critical moment in the season.
Michigan State: Izzo’s 30th team was projected to be average but has outperformed those predictions.
Key moment
Richardson’s 3-pointer with 8:56 left in the game halted Michigan’s 14-0 run and put Michigan State ahead by 14 points.
Key stat
The Spartans capitalized on Michigan’s 11 turnovers, converting them into 18 points, leading to a commanding 50-28 halftime advantage.
Up next
Michigan State will enter the Big Ten Tournament as the top-seeded team, while Michigan will be among four teams receiving two byes, set to play Friday in Indianapolis.
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