CHICAGO — This game – a 65-60 win for Michigan State – was so good the coach cried before it was over, as only Tom Izzo could, after his Spartans cut Michigan basketball’s lead to two Sunday afternoon at the United Center.
There were 2 minutes left in the Big Ten tournament title game. Two minutes left of a holy tussle, of the third meeting this season between these rivals.
Michigan State basketball’s Matt McQuaid had just hit a 3, an answer to a 3 from U-M’s Isaiah Livers.
The Spartans had been digging from a hole the entire second half and had been down five before McQuaid – having the game of his career – scored his 25th, 26th and 27the points.