Advancing to the Big Ten semifinals on Friday, Michigan State knew it would have its hands full with the uber-talented Maryland Terrapins. Tom Izzo has his team ready as the Spartans came out firing early, taking a double-digit lead in the first half before going into the locker room up 41-33.
The Spartans came out sluggish after that, scoring just 12 points in the first 11 minutes and looking as if they’d be victims of an upset — if you can even call it that.
Denzel Valentine made some clutch free throws down the stretch, although he did miss a crucial one with MSU up one, and he finished with 18 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.