Tune in at 6:00 PM ET as Michigan State takes on Ohio State. Natasha Alibhai will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
MSU starters: Appling, Payne, Dawson, Thornton, Green
OSU starters: Thomas, Buford, Sullinger, Craft, Smith Jr.
Looks like we may tip off a few minutes late as there are still 5 minutes to go in the Duke/Maryland game
Big time Big 10 matchup and the Buckeyes are the heavy favorites in this one
The numbers are close but the Spartans have an edge in some defensive categories
@Thomas based on the spread that is all. -10.5
@Thomas I thought so too. Maybe Vegas knows something? heh
Well Duke blows out Maryland and its time to get this game going
OSU wins the tip and a quick pull up from Thomas at the elbow is money
5 seconds is all it took for the first score.
Ball tipped out, MSU inbounds baseline, Payne gets a open look from the baseline and makes it
OSU turns it over as Craft tries to pass out of the post
Nice high low feed for Payne who slipped to the basket. Finishes with a layup
Craft open from deep. sticks it. 5-4 OSU
Appling trying to get by Craft and he turns it over as the ball squirts out of his hand
Green with a steal. MSU trying to push it and a kicked ball is called
Appling has to take a deep 3 late in the shot clock, misses too strong
Craft driving to the hoop, lays it up and in off glass.
Buford runs into the screen set by Payne and they call it on Payne. offensive foul
Sullinger backing down Nix, unable to finish on the turnaround.
Teams exchange misses and now Craft brings the ball up. OSU leads 7-4
Sullinger spins to the hoop, finishes the sweet layup. On the other end, Sullinger with a big time swat as we head into a time out
TIME OUT - OSU leads 9-4 with 15:10 to go in the half
@Thomas hah yea. Cameras zoomed right into his face. lip reading 101 :)
Nix unable to score in the post. MSU has missed their last 6 shots
Fouls off the ball continue. Still trying to find a flow in this game
Sullinger with a miss on one end, Green sinks a transition 3 on the other. 9-7 OSU
Smith throws up an airball on the corner 3
Green short on the fadeaway in the lane. OSU pushes it up the other way
Thomas fouled as he pulls up on the baseline. Foul on Green
Thomas at the line, misses the first and makes the second. 10-7 OSU
Green with a score as he gets the ball with deep post position
After a miss by Thomas, Green scores on another layup giving MSU their first lead
TIME OUT- MSU leads 11-10 with 11:55 to go in the half
Payne had committed a foul before the time out. Sullinger to the line.
Sullinger makes the first and the second. 12-11 OSU
Payne takes the contact and is still able to hit the short turnaround in the lane
OSU turns it over as Ravenel is called for an offensive foul
Wood driving baseline, his scoop reverse wouldn't go down but Payne is there for the put back SLAM
Craft fouled and will go to the line. Kearney with the foul
Craft makes a pair of free throws. MSU leads 15-14
