Already having notched an upset win over 15th-ranked Miami, the Northeastern Huskies looked to pack Matthews Arena for arguably the biggest home game in school history. Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo knew it wasn’t going to be a simple road win against a tough mid-major who brought back four starters from a tourney team a year ago, but he liked the challenge.
Michigan State began the game very sluggish, looking like the true away team by getting out-rebounded 14-5 in the early going — that included a 9-to-2 offensive rebound advantage for the Huskies.