Michigan State-Illinois lived up to the hype and then some Saturday night in East Lansing. Overtime was needed to decide a massive Big Ten matchup.
No. 10 Michigan State beats No. 5 Illinois in overtime thriller with near-disaster ending originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Among the five scheduled Big Ten games Saturday, the nightcap game on Fox may have taken the cake as No. 10 Michigan State outlasted No. 5 Illinois at Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Led by guard Jeremy Fears Jr.'s 26 points in the 85-82 win, the Spartans trailed for all but 9:08 of of the contest that needed overtime to decide the game.
A foul late in regulation allowed Illinois forward Jake Davis to knock down consecutive free throws to force the extra session, but Fears' 12-of-13 free throw performance ultimately made the difference for the Spartans. The victory was critical, as the Illini had won their last 12 games dating to mid-December, which included ranked road wins against Nebraska and Purdue in the last three weeks before Michigan State protected hone court.
After Spartans coach Tom Izzo was displeased with Fears' actions in a 76-73 upset loss Wednesday night against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (11-12, 4-8 Big Ten), the Big Ten legend finally came around in defense of his star player's heroics.
"He [Jeremy Fears Jr.] proved his colors, and that's why his coach has faith in him." Izzo told Fox Sports' Steve Smith.
It is the only time both teams will meet this regular-season, as a stolen inbounds pass from the Illini's Zvonimi Ivisic in the closing seconds of regulation nearly kept the game afloat, but to no avail.
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Four Illinois players were in double figures Saturday night, led by forward David Mirkovic's 18 points.
Illinois (20-4, 11-2 Big Ten) has another quick turnaround Tuesday night, as it hosts Wisconsin (16-7, 8-4 Big Ten). The Spartans also draw the Badgers next Friday, although it is a road test in Madison.
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It remains to be seen if both teams will rematch down the road, but what is clear is the top-heavy nature of Big Ten basketball is alive and well.
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Category: General Sports
