INDIANAPOLIS – Michigan State spurted early and late, delivering Butler a deflating 73-52 defeat before a Hinkle Fieldhouse sellout of 9,100 in college basketball Wednesday night.
It was the Bulldogs’ second nonleague home defeat in 64 games (62-2). In the Gavitt Tipoff Games, it was the first Big Ten win after four Big East wins.
Gabe Brown scored 19 points and freshman Max Christie 18 for Michigan State (2-1). Ty Groce had 15 and Chuck Harris 13 for Butler (3-1).
Three reasons Butler lost:
Spartans’ swift start
Michigan State turned Butler’s early misses and turnovers into baskets, whether in transition or off offensive rebounds.