In a picture-perfect atmosphere last night, No. 25 Michigan State (12-4 Big Ten, 17-10 overall) had an opportunity to clinch at least a share of the Big Ten title on senior night with the company of their home fans. Instead, the championship banner remained in the rafters of the \Izzone"" as No. 14 Wisconsin (11-4, 20-6) kept their own aspirations alive for a conference title as they discovered a cure for their road woes with a dramatic 68-64 overtime victory in East Lansing, Mich.
MSU Head Coach Tom Izzo's game plan was no secret, as four of the first six scripted plays were run into his 6'11"" sophomore center Paul Davis. Davis responded by scoring his teams first nine points. As Wisconsin focused on stopping State's trio of sharp shooters from catching fire early, Davis was able to have a monster first half, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine boards.
Junior forward Mike Wilkinson countered Davis early on and scored the Badgers' first seven points, while junior guard Devin Harris added nine points on three three-point shots in the first half. The Spartans' strong perimeter game was held in check, and the Badgers headed into halftime with a 35-30 lead.
The second half was more of the same, as Davis again was dominant in the post, finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds and recording his third double-double of the year. However, leg cramps forced him to sit out with 2:31 left in regulation on one of the most promising nights of his career, delivering a blow to the Spartans.
The Badgers, however, were unable to work the ball into the post and went on a 10-minute drought without a field goal and saw the momentum and energy suddenly shift in favor of the home team. With the pressure mounting, Wisconsin turned to its leader, Harris, who calmly hit a clutch three from the top of the key to tie the score at 53 with under a minute to play.
On the ensuing Michigan State possession, junior guard Chris Hill was fouled with 22 seconds remaining, but missed both free throws in an eerily silent arena. With the score tied, Harris had an opportunity to be the hero in regulation, but his attempt from the baseline rimmed out as time expired.
The overtime period saw the two teams slug it out as they traded baskets, with Harris scoring six of his team-high 18 points in the extra frame. But on this night, the biggest shot of the night came from junior guard Clayton Hanson, who emerged from the bench to drain a long-range three and place his team ahead by four with under a minute remaining.
Hill kept the game competitive by hitting two late treys to cut the lead to three, but it was too little too late as the Badgers were able to sink their free throws down the stretch and escape with a crucial road victory.
The win keeps Badger fans interested in tonight's game between Purdue and Illinois, with a Boilermaker win elevating Wisconsin into a tie for the Big Ten Conference title.
