Michigan State Spartans Look For Revenge Against Indiana Hoosiers

Feb 16, 2013; Lincoln, NE, USA; Can Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine help his team grab a share of the Big Ten lead? Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

It seems that every week in the B 1 G brings an even bigger game.  This week is no exception as the Michigan State Spartans look for revenge against the Indiana Hoosiers.  There is more than pride at stake in this game.  The winner will be in the drivers seat for the Big Ten Conference title.

On January 27th, Sparty travelled to Bloomington and had his 6 game win streak snapped by the Hoosiers 75-70 win.  That was the last time the Michigan State Spartans lost.  Since they have won five in a row and take that streak into the game on Tuesday night against the Hoosiers.  A win for the Spartans on Tuesday will give them a share of the lead in the Big Ten standings with just four games to go in conference play.  However a win for Indiana will all but sew up a conference title.

The remaining schedules for each team down the stretch are pretty even.  Both the Spartans and Hoosiers have one game remaining against Ohio State and Michigan.  Beyond that you could argue the Spartans have the easier road with their other two games coming again Wisconsin and Northwestern.  Both of those games are at home.  So the pressure should be on the Hoosiers who’s other two games are against Iowa and tournament bound Minnesota.  Lets not forget Indiana has to finish the season in Ann Arbor.  The Wolverines will have something to prove in that game.

After stumbling earlier in the season the Michigan State Spartans have looked like a team that could win the NCAA tournament.  They have passed nearly every test put before them overcoming adversity and injuries in the process.  They do it with team effort as well.  getting scoring from all five starters and off of the bench on a consistent basis. So the pressure is on Indiana to win at one of the toughest places to win in college basketball, The Breslin Center.  This season Breslin has been especially deadly.  The Michigan State Spartans are a perfect 15-0 at home. Further, 11 of their 15 home wins were by 10 points or more. The latest of which was a 20 point blow-out against arch rival Michigan.  In short the Michigan State Spartans take care of business at home.  I wouldn’t expect to see a 30 point blow-out but I do predict a Spartan victory.

Catch the game on Tuesday night at 7:00pm on ESPN.