Michigan Ends the Streak

Photo Credit: annarbor.com

The Spartans and the Wolverines met at the Breslin Thursday night, and the heavily favored Spartans were handed a surprising 61-57 loss at the hands of their bitter rivals, the Michigan Wolverines.

This game was huge for both teams, as they both were struggling. One team started over-achieving, but was losing games by falling apart late, and the other was trying to salvage what little was left of a season that was supposed to end in a national championship. This was a must win for both teams.

Michigan came out ready to play, and the Spartans continued to start off sluggish, like they had pretty much all season. Michigan controlled the tempo for most of the game, until the end when the Spartans started to rally.

We had seen it twice already this season, where State plays sluggish and sloppy all game, until they make a huge rally and win. (Wisconsin and Northwestern.) But it was not to be when State missed a go ahead open three then let Stu Douglas get a look from downtown for the dagger.

Michigan wins for the first time in the Breslin in 14 trips.

Darius Morris and Zack Novak light up the three point line in the victory over State. Kalin Lucas dropped 27 in the loss.

What does this say for the two teams?

For Michigan, this could be a turning point. They had been close against good teams, but fell apart late. They hadn't been putting together full games. They had been showing up in stretches, but then disappearing. The classic sign of a young team (Michigan has no seniors, and two juniors.) This game could give the young Wolverine squad the confidence to make a run at a NCAA tournament bid. They already have more wins than many expected, but it's going to take a lot if they're going to dance. Unlikely, but this win is a nice one on any resume.

On the other side... This loss really puts the Spartans in a bad spot. On paper, MSU should have won by 15, at least. But the talented Spartans just continue to underachieve. Players and coaches are both to blame with the failure of this season. I understand State has the toughest schedule in the country, but losing to teams like Penn State and Michigan are unacceptable.

They followed this up by beating a bad Indiana team by one at home in overtime. There is something seriously wrong with this team. Obviously they aren't as good as everyone expected and losing Raymar Morgan clearly has had a bigger impact than anyone could have expected, but with all the talent still on this team, the performance thus far is unacceptable.

They'll get into the tournament on reputation alone if they are even close to the bubble, but for a team that's "national champion or bust," that's not good enough, and this season is disaster thus far. It will take a huge turnaround to salvage this season for the Spartans.