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For the first time since 1998, Michigan and Michigan State squared off in basketball with both teams ranked. Unlike then, No. 19 Michigan took this one, 60-59.
The No. 9 Michigan State Spartans are in Ann Arbor taking on the No. 19 Michigan Wolverines, both teams ranked for the first time since Feb. 17, 1998. In that match up almost 14 years ago, the Spartans won by five; tonight, the Wolverines lead through 20 minutes of play, 36-29.
Michigan jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the first four-plus minutes behind a trio of threes and 5-for-6 shooting. The Spartans recovered to outscore the Wolverines 25-23 the remainder of the half to cut the deficit to seven at the half.
Michigan shot 13-for-24 (54-percent) in the first half, but were just 1-for-7 on threes after starting 3-for-3. The 54-percent is Michigan's best first half performance this Big Ten season. MSU typically holds opponents to 38-percent shooting, which is second in the Big Ten.
Despite trailing by seven, the Spartans shot 44-percent and outrebounded Michigan 16-11 (4-0 on the offensive glass). They have yet to get to the free throw line, though.
Trey Burke leads Michigan with nine points. Keith Appling and Derrick Nix have six apiece for the Spartans.
Michigan will start with the ball in the second half, as the Spartans won the opening tip.
For more on the Michigan Wolverines, check out Maize n Brew. For more on the Michigan State Spartans, go to The Only Colors. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NCAA Basketball hub at SBNation.com/NCAA-Basketball.
On Tuesday night in Ann Arbor, the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans will take on the No. 19 Michigan Wolverines in the latest chapter of one of the great rivalries in college sports. This chapter features a ranked team on each side of the rivalry for the first time since Feb. 17, 1998. After that game, which the Spartans won 80-75, the two programs went in different directions. Michigan State became a powerhouse, whereas Michigan headed to the bottom of the Big Ten. Only recently have the Wolverines started building their basketball program back up, and they actually won both meetings with the Spartans last season.
This season, the implications for the first of two meetings between Michigan and Michigan State go beyond the rivalry. The Spartans are tied for first in the Big Ten with Illinois at 4-1 in the conference, and Michigan is only half a game back at 4-2. With how strong the Big Ten is this year, games like this could very well play a role in deciding the conference champion come March.
Interestingly enough, both teams enter Tuesday's game coming off of a loss. Michigan State had its 15-game winning streak snapped on Saturday by Northwestern in Evanston. Michigan State struggled in containing the Wildcats' offense and lost 81-74 as a result. Hours earlier, Michigan went down at Iowa in an ugly 75-59 loss. It was by far the Wolverines' worst game of the season, and it came just days after they narrowly held off Northwestern in overtime at home. By comparison, Michigan State cruised to a 34-point victory at home against Iowa early last week.
Tuesday's game between the Spartans and Wolverines is set to tip off at 7 p.m. (Eastern Time). ESPN will have the broadcast, and Ann Arbor resident Mike Tirico will be on the call along with Dan Dakich.
For more on the Michigan Wolverines, check out Maize n Brew. For more on the Michigan State Spartans, go to The Only Colors. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NCAA Basketball hub at SBNation.com/NCAA-Basketball.
Michigan Vs. Michigan State Final Score: Wolverines Hang On In Final Seconds To Beat Spartans, 60-59
The last time the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines faced each other while both being ranked was February 17, 1998. The Spartans won that match up by five. Tonight, it was the Wolverines holding on to beat the Spartans, 60-59.
It wasn't without dramatics, of course.
Michigan State came back from a seven-point halftime deficit to take a four-point lead with under five minutes in the game. But Michigan battled through the four-minute adversity to eventually retake the lead with 38 seconds remaining after freshman Trey Burke found senior Stu Douglass under the basket for an easy put in.
Michigan State managed to get a very good look at the basket with a couple seconds remaining, but Draymond Green's shot was off left and eventually tapped out as time expired and the Wolverines victorious.
The win is Michigan's third straight over MSU and the first time its beaten a Top 10 MSU since Jan 25, 1979 when the Spartans were ranked No. 4 overall. The Spartans went on to win the National Championship that year.
Burke led all scorers with 20 points. Michigan was just 3-for-18 from downtown after hitting their first three treys.
For more on the Michigan Wolverines, check out Maize n Brew. For more on the Michigan State Spartans, go to The Only Colors. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NCAA Basketball hub at SBNation.com/NCAA-Basketball.
Jan 17 9:09p by Brian Packey