Michigan State Basketball: Highlights, final score at Illinois
Michigan State basketball faces an even more important contest Saturday after losing a tough one against Illinois Wednesday night.
What a tough loss it was for Tom Izzo and Michigan State basketball. The Spartans were down 60-50 and put together a late run, pulling within two points and with possession of the ball. However, poor execution of the drawn-up plays led to zero points as Michigan State fell to 18-12 with the defeat.
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The season is most definitely not over now, but a win over the Fighting Illini would have been huge for the Spartans. However, they must now either win at Maryland Saturday afternoon or take one in the Big Ten Tournament to really solidify an NCAA Tournament berth.
Take a look at the top performers, highlights, key stats and upcoming schedule for Michigan State following the loss to Illinois.
Three Stars
Miles Bridges, of course, was the Spartans’ top performer yet again. He finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and made a couple of late 3-pointers which nearly brought the Spartans back.
Alvin Ellis III had an impressive night, including giving the Spartans some momentum headed into the halftime locker room with a steal and score as time expired. He finished with 15 points and three rebounds on 6-of-10 shooting.
Nick Ward attempted just five field goals, and that’s an issue. When he plays and gets the ball often, the Spartans’ offense seems to click. However, he barely touched it, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds in just 21 minutes.
Key Stats
- Michigan State had just nine assists to 15 turnovers.
- Illinois had 17 points off turnovers to Michigan State’s eight.
- The Fighting Illini made 11 3-pointers which really buried the Spartans early.
- Illinois had only seven turnovers.
Highlights
Even when he's not dunking, @MilesBridges01 is doing extraordinary things.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 2, 2017
He ditches the double team and scores: https://t.co/Ie6021yCWQ
That's how you close a half, @MSU_Basketball.@AEllisIII gets the steal, score and Bo Jacksons it into the tunnel: https://t.co/0IzSKTdvhH
— Michigan State on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) March 2, 2017
If you give it up on one end, hustle back on D like @MilesBridges01.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 2, 2017
And toss in a two-hand block for good measure: https://t.co/SA3FzBzQ8L
Nairn had a look, but it was @IlliniMBB's night until the end.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 2, 2017
Another thrilling night of hoops on BTN: https://t.co/G1VtNYI5dq
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What’s Next?
Michigan State will travel to Maryland on Saturday for the season finale. A win versus the Terrapins will surely punch the Spartans’ ticket to the NCAA Tournament, but if they lose, they’ll need to win at least one in the Big Ten tourney to get in for sure.