EAST LANSING – Quick, Michigan State, think of the bad times.
The No. 12 Spartans halted their only stretch of adversity this season by beating Maryland on Saturday in an emotional scene at Breslin Center. The hugging and chest-bumping won’t do much for them Thursday against a capable Northwestern team in Evanston, Ill.
“You’ve got to remember where you were just a couple days ago,” MSU senior guard Denzel Valentine said of a three-game losing streak and the accompanying angst.
The Spartans (17-4, 4-4 Big Ten) also should know how different the stretch ahead could be based on Thursday's game.