ADRENALINE ON HIGH Y'ALL. I wasn't nervous much yesterday, but writing the preview and this game thread? The butterflies are going, I'm a bit shaky, and I'm worried that all the bad things that can happen to Michigan State will happen in the next two hours, booting MSU out of the NCAAs. This game features the KenPom #2 (Louisville) and #3 (Good Guys) rated defenses in the nation, offenses...well, MSU's 8th, and Louisville's 111th. However, 1+1+1 = 3, and all the Cardinals need are one hot night from three to take MSU out. Good lord I'm nervous. I can't really write anymore, so here comes the disclaimer.

This is the open thread. Y'all know the rules: No slurs, no links to illegal game streams, and be cool to one another. Enjoy the game everyone.

GO GREEN, GO WHITE, BEAT LOUISVILLE.

The season ended roughly, but Michigan State earned the top seed and will face an Iowa team that held off an Illini team that is probably thankful their regular season is now over. If you recall Michigan State beat Iowa 95-61 in a game where MSU went 10-18 from behind the arc, scored numerous fast break points, and caused Fran McCaffery to turn a chair into an auction item that sold for thousands of dollars.

So how nervous should MSU be? I'll go with somewhat. Matt Gatens has been on fire the past few games, and that's where most of my concern lies -- if he gets hot from three, most likely Iowa's going to be in this game no matter what MSU does. Without Branden Dawson the defense will suffer, but a silver lining is that with Brandon Wood and Brandan Kearney taking most of Dawson's minutes, the three point shooting will improve, which could be a boon against zone defenses now and in the future.

Sidenote -- according to this LSJ article, I'll be in DTW watching this game in a bar before heading out to Phoenix this weekend. If you are an MSU fan and also leaving from DTW, the first drink's on me.

This is the game thread. You know what to do -- no slurs, no links to illegal game streams, and be cool to one another. Enjoy the game everyone.

GO GREEN, GO WHITE, BEAT IOWA.

MEMO: THIS GAME IS A WHITE OUT. WEAR A WHITE SHIRT. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE, STOP AT THE MEIJER ON LAKE LANSING BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AND BUY ONE. THEY'RE NOT TOO MUCH, AND A PROPER WHITE OUT WILL LOOK AWESOME. PLEASE AND THANK YOU!

One game to rule them all, one game to find them, one game to bring them all and in East Lansing crown one, two, or three Big Ten Champions. Tolkien references aside, this game that will bring the Big Ten title race to its conclusion has three possibilities. Possibility the first -- Michigan wins against Penn State (almost a given) and MSU loses to OSU; that would make Michigan State, Ohio State, and Michigan B1G champions. In a word -- ugh. Possibility the second: Michigan loses to Penn State (HA HA), OSU beats MSU, and MSU and OSU are Big Ten champions. Still not desirable.

That brings us to possibility the third: Michigan State, like in Columbus a month ago, beats the Buckeyes, and claim the B1G regular season title on a day where Brandon Wood, Austin Thornton, and Draymond Green will play their last collegiate game in the Breslin Center (it feels so good not to include the NIT in this statement like last year) along with properly honoring Delvon Roe for his three years of play.

After the jump: keys, and thoughts.

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First, to answer the question of Derrick Nix's health:

Walked into the arena with headphones on and music blaring. I'd say yes. RT @NYCravens1: @insidethehall is derrick nix playing tonight?

— Alex Bozich (@insidethehall) February 28, 2012

MSU warming up, Nix seems to be moving fine. Trice dressed, moving a bit gingerly.

— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) February 28, 2012

That's good enough for me. Nix may be limited, but his presence was a major reason why Cody Zeller had a tough game last time. MSU will need the big man in the center to make sure that happens again.

Random people that are at the MSU-IU game tonight: Steve Mariucci, Jared from Subway in his Indiana gear, Jay Bilas, and a cast of thousands. Sole possession of the Big Ten regular season title is there for the taking. It's time to end three long years of having to share it.

This is the game thread. Same rules as they ever were: No slurs, no links to illegal game streams, and be cool to one another. Enjoy the game everyone.

GO GREEN, GO WHITE, BEAT INDIANA.

First off, it looks like Travis Trice will once again be unable to play. Second off, that's it for new news. Michigan won yesterday at Northwestern, which means that if MSU wants to maintain its edge in the race for the Big Ten regular season title it'll need to pull out a win against Minnesota.

This is the game thread. Same rules as always: No slurs, no links to illegal game streams, and be cool to one another. Enjoy the game everyone.

GO GREEN, GO WHITE, BEAT MINNESOTA.