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.