{"id":12771,"date":"2024-02-01T18:00:55","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T23:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/?p=12771"},"modified":"2024-02-01T16:15:43","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T21:15:43","slug":"ranking-the-10-most-memorable-games-of-the-tom-izzo-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/?p=12771","title":{"rendered":"Ranking the 10 most memorable games of the Tom Izzo era"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Tom Izzo just recorded win No. 700 on Tuesday night against Michigan. Let&#8217;s look at 10 of his most memorable moments as MSU head coach.<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/tom-izzo-not-the-only-one-to-reach-a-career-milestone-against-michigan\/\">Tom Izzo<\/a> just reached 700 wins as the head Michigan State basketball coach on Tuesday against Michigan.<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s celebrate by going back down memory lane with some of the wins that got him where he is today.<\/p>\n<h3>1. <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">April 3<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, 2000<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"4\/3\/2000 - Michigan State 89  Florida 76 (Highlights and Postgame)\" width=\"740\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zDuh90S_J9o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">You <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">cannot tell the Tom Izzo story without <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Mateen Cleaves<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and the Flintstones. So where else to start but the top. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">MSU concluded an unbelievable season as <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Big Ten<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">champions<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and rolling through to the title game. You know the names Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, Charlie Bell, Jason Richardson. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">MSU seemed to be in full control midway through the half when after a fast-break layup Cleaves was crawling off the court holding his ankle in pain and taken to the locker room. The game could have flipped but Bell and Peterson stayed in control and another senior AJ Granger popped off <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">to finish the game <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">with <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">19<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> points<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> keeping the Spartans ahead w<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">hile Cleaves was<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u00a0away<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. But Mateen was not going to quit either as he came out of the tunnel like a WWE champion returning to the court to end the game dancing around giving Izzo and MSU its \u201cOne Shining <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Moment.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>2. <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">March 27<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">, 2005<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"3\/27\/2005 - Michigan State 94 Kentucky 88\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tqITlN7yvi8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"s4\">\n<p><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">After<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> beating <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">No. 1 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Duke, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">No. 5 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Michigan State met <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Rajon Rondo and <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">No. 2 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Kentucky in the Elite Eight<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. The game was back and forth and neither team could take full control and it turned into a marathon. With 19 seconds left, Shannon Brown knocked down <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">two<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">free throws<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> to give MSU a <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">3-point<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> lead. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Patrick Sparks had other plans as MSU could not secure the rebound of two Kentucky attempts and <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">sparks<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> double clutched a <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">three<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> that rolled around the rim for what seemed like forever only to fall and send the game to overtime. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The first overtime <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">could not<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> decide the winner as both teams only scored <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">six<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> points and the game continued. A put-back dunk by freshman Paul Davis gave MSU a five<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">-point<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> lead in the second overtime and the Spartans never gave it back. The Cinderella <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">runs<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> over two <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">blue<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> bloods sent the Spartans to the Final Four.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"s4\">\n<h3>3. Feb. 20, 2007<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"2007_Wisconsin.mpg\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uK_iNT7UPJY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>A struggling Spartans team welcomed national No. 1 Wisconsin to the Breslin Center<span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Drew Neitzel was the junior leader of a team with no seniors in its rotation and the game plan on this day was give the ball to No. 11. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">This game was the classic Tom Izzo vs. Bo Ryan rock fight, neither team could break apart in this old school low scoring battle. The Breslin Center was rocking dressed in a white out and Neitzel gave them everything to cheer about. Neitzel was on fire 6-for-11 from 3-point land finishing with <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">28<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> of MSU\u2019s 64 points. As the Spartans upset the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">nation\u2019s<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> No. 1 team. I believe is the last time the Breslin court <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">was stormed<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> by the students in the Izzone.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>4. April 4, 2009<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Durrell Summers POSTERIZES UConn player -- Michigan St. vs UConn (2009 Final Four)\" width=\"740\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/M00tBtmHQeg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The<span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> 2009 NCAA Tournament was an incredible storybook run for Michigan State basketball with the Final Four in Detroit the Spartans won the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Big Ten<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and earned themselves a 2-seed<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> in the bracket. After taking down Kansas and Louisville the Spartans found themselves back home in the state of Michigan at Ford Field to take on No.1 seeded Connecticut. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Led by Big Ten player of the year Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan, the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Spartans<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> found themselves as underdogs. But late in the second half, MSU went on an 8-0 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">scoring<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> run punctuated by a fast break Durrell Summers dunk over Stanley Robinson electrifying the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Ford Field crowd. In the words of Jim Nantz, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Ford Field was shaking as the Spartans toppled UConn to advance to the national championship <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">game.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>5. March 21, 2010<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Korie Lucious Game Winning Buzzer Beater vs Maryland\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h3_bcJyAaI4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>This season saw Michigan State basketball capture back-to-back regular-season titles as the Spartans looked for another trip to the Final Four. Kalin Lucas was again the star as MSU seemed poised for another postseason run. MSU met then-ACC foe Maryland in the Round of 32<span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">All was well for the Spartans as they approached halftime in control of the lead, when Lucas came off with an injury that <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">was found<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> to be a full tear of his Achilles. MSU <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">was fired<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> up playing for their leader but without the best player on the floor, Maryland slowly came back and took the lead in the final seconds. Without a timeout the ball <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">was inbounded<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> to Draymond Green <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">and thanks to a ducking Delvon Roe dodging his<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u00a0pass to guard <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Korie Lucious <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">gave Lucious the shot for a buzzer-beating game-winning 3-<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">pointer, <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">keep<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">ing <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">the<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Spartans&#8217; dreams alive with <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">the shot that sent MSU to the Sweet 16 and all the way to the Final Four<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>6. March 16, 2014<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Michigan State Basketball claims the 2014 Big Ten Tournament Championship\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5E1YQuKyLtI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Michigan State had an interesting season in 2014. A star-studded ultra-talented roster including Gary Harris, Branden Dawson, and Adreian Payne had the Spartans sitting at preseason No. 2. Unfortunately, injuries had the Tom Izzo and the Spartans without Payne and Dawson for its two biggest games versus the eventual Big Ten regular-season champion Wolverines. MSU finally got healthy in the last week of the season and had the opportunity to get <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">some<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> good old-fashioned revenge on their neighbors down the road in the Big Ten Tournament title game. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">MSU came out motivated and on fire Payne and Dawson combined for <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">33<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> points and <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">15<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> rebound<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">s. MSU closed the half on a 10-0 run closed by a Gary Harris steal and dunk as the first half expired charged MSU to a 15-point lead as t<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">he Spartans <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">silenced <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">the doubters <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">and<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> took down the regular-season <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Big Ten<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> champs in dominant fashion<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and earning another Big Ten Tournament title. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>7. Nov. 17, 2015<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kansas at Michigan State - Men&#039;s Basketball Highlights\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BFxA9AVDVFM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The Champions Classic between Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, and Michigan State has become a staple of the opening week for the college basketball calendar. The Spartans matched up with No.4 Kansas and long-time forward Perry Ellis at the United Center in Chicago. MSU was preseason top-15<span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> after the Final Four run in the prior <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">season and<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">was <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">led<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> by senior guard <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Denzel <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">V<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">alentine<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> and center Matt Costello. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">After a slow first half, the Jayhawks held a 41-35 lead. But <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">fueled<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">by Denzel <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">carrying the team with<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> a 29-point triple<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">&#8211;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">double, the first since Draymond Green,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Michigan State made a run to climb into a lead late in the game. Valentine then kicked the ball out to an open freshman<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">\u00a0Matt McQuaid <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">who <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">hit a clutch three to defeat Kansas<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> for an incredible start to the year. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>8. March 9, 2019<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"3\/9\/2019  Michigan State 75 Michigan 63\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7PJDxiXkAC8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Spartans vs. Wolverines reached its peak as both teams entered the final game of the season tied atop the <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Big Ten<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> standings. The Breslin center was rocking on Senior D<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">ay,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> but the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Spartans<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> came out cold with Michigan taking a <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">six-point<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> lead into the break. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Cassius Winston started <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">slow<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> but caught a spark in the second half that charged a 25-4 run that buried Michigan for the second of <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">three <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">wins over the Wolvernes in 2019, clinching a <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Big Ten<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> title for the second year in a row, and leading to the next game on our <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">list. Winston finished with 23 points and seven assists while Xavier Tillman added 17 points, six rebounds, and five blocks while shutting down Michigan big man Jon Teske<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>9. March 31, 2019<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Izzo&#039;s 8th\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ChiiI_zIyFA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Michigan State basketball was on a collision course with Duke, the No. 1 seed, led by <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">four<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> first-round NBA draft picks, headlined by Zion Williamson. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Of course, it&#8217;s Duke it&#8217;s always Duke that stands in Izzo\u2019s <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">way,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> but this time was different. Tom Izzo got his second win over Coach K\u2019s Duke super-team behind the double<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">&#8211; <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">double by Cassius Winston and a <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">few<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> poster dunks by Xavier Tillman and Matt McQuaid. And a play design that <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">led<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> to former walk-on Kenny Goins&#8217; pop-out 3-pointer that sent <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">all of<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> Spartan Nation into a frenzy, sending the Blue Devils packing and the Spartans to Minnesota and the Final Four.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>10. March 7, 2021<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"3\/7\/2021 - Michigan State 70  Michigan 64\" width=\"740\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ol2TckRjD8c?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"s4\"><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">With<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">six<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> games left in the season, the Spartans found themselves 10-9 on the outside looking in on the NCAA Tournament streak that had defined the consistent success of the Tom Izzo tenure. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Staring at four top-five teams in the country in the final two weeks. The Aaron Henry-led <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Spartans<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">did not<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> hear <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">a<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> bell as they turned the season around on a dime. No. 5 Illinois &#8212; check.\u00a0 No. 4 Ohio State &#8212; check. But<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> who could be waiting for MSU in the finale? Arch-rival No. 2 Michigan. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">Aaron Henry<\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\"> (18 points) <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">and Rocket Watts <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">(21 points) who played his best game of the season <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">were not going to let their team go down as the streak breakers as Michigan upset Michigan <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">70-64 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><span class=\"bumpedFont15\">on the last day of the regular season locking in their place in the NCAA Tournament, keeping the streak alive.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What an era it&#8217;s been.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":13322,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[187],"tags":[59,190,189,504,211],"class_list":["post-12771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","tag-featured","tag-michigan-state-basketball","tag-michigan-state-spartans","tag-news","tag-tom-izzo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12771"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12771\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}