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Big Ten Tournament Championship Game Thread: Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans

By Ryan O'Bleness
NCAA Basketball: Michigan at Michigan State Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

It all comes down to this. The No. 1 seed Michigan State Spartans take on the No. 3 seed Michigan Wolverines with a Big Ten Tournament title on the line. Tune into CBS at 3:30 p.m. EST (2:30 p.m. CST) to watch the Big Ten heavyweights and fierce rivals battle for the championship.

This is the second time in the last eight days that the two schools from the Great Lakes State are playing for a title — with MSU winning a share of the regular season Big Ten title after defeating U of M last weekend. The Spartans won both matchups over the Wolverines this season: a 75-63 victory in East Lansing last weekend, and a 77-70 win in Ann Arbor on Feb. 24.

Beating a team of Michigan’s caliber three times in the season is going to be challenging to say the least. Not only is U of M the defending back-to-back Big Ten Tournament champs, the Wolverines have thoroughly dominated their opponents so far in the tourney. Michigan won its first game over Iowa 74-53 on Friday, and then went gate to wire over a hot Minnesota team on Saturday, winning that contest 76-49. Michigan is looking for revenge over Michigan State.

MSU has been impressive so far as well. Michigan State beat an Ohio State team with its best player — Kaleb Wesson — back from suspension by a score of 77-70. That was the third time this season that the Spartans defeated the Buckeyes. Yesterday, MSU easily took down Wisconsin with a 67-55 victory. The Spartans never trailed against the Badgers.

It’s clear that the cream of the crop in the Big Ten resides in the state of Michigan. Not only is a Big Ten title on the line today. If the Spartans win, they could very well be looking at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Michigan vs. Michigan State has become one of the greatest rivalries in college basketball. Use this space to talk about the game.

Following the game is the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on CBS, which will reveal MSU’s seeding and opponent, as well as the full field of 68.

Go Green!

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