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Grit, lessons learned put Michigan State basketball on cusp of another Big Ten title

Tom Izzo saw 'fire from the opening get-go' in Michigan State's impressive 78-66 win over No. 8 Maryland in College Park, Md. on Feb. 29, 2020. Detroit Free Press

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Time expired on one of the most monumental wins in Tom Izzo’s career. His jubilantly players ran toward the Bryce Jordan Center tunnel through the throng of fans hooting and hollering at what they had just witnessed.

Down 19 in the first half. Penn State seemingly making every 3-pointer it shot. Michigan State’s slim chance at a Big Ten slipping away.

The Spartans found themselves in a hurry in the second half, the lessons from slow starts and rambunctious recoveries of the past few months culminating with their most furious comeback, their most hellacious defense and their most important victory.