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Buckeyes challenge Spartans for right to head to Big Ten semifinals

Fri 14th, March 2008

Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - After closing out the regular season against each other, the fourth-seeded Michigan State Spartans will collide with the fifth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Buckeyes were able to snap a four-game losing skid with back-to-back victories over Purdue (80-77 OT) and Michigan State (63-54) to close out their season. Those two wins pushed Ohio State's league mark to a respectable 10-8 on the season, giving the team the fifth-seed. However, the Buckeyes will have to travel a tough path if they plan on retaining the Big Ten title.

As for the Spartans, the season-ending loss to OSU was painful, but the team should take solace in finishing with 24 overall victories and a strong 12-6 mark in league play. The Spartans are 11-8 in this tournament, and have claimed the title twice, winning in 1999 and 2000.

The winner is this matchup will move into the semifinal round and will face either Michigan or Wisconsin. As mentioned earlier the Buckeyes defeated Michigan State in the season finale, but the Spartans got the better of OSU earlier this year and hold a solid 60-50 advantage in the all-time series.

The Buckeyes' success can be attributed to the team's outstanding play at the defensive end of the floor, as the squad is limiting the opposition to just 61.1 ppg on an equally poor 38.5 percent shooting effort from the floor. 16 times this season the Buckeyes held the opponent under 60 points and in those contests Ohio State has posted a solid 13-3 ledger. Jamar Butler has been a tremendous leader on the floor, and comes into this contest pacing the team with 14.6 ppg and 185 assists. Kosta Koufos has been the main contributor down low for the Buckeyes, as the big man is averaging 13.7 ppg to go along with team-highs in rebounds (6.8 rpg) and blocks (57). Othello Hunter has also made his presence known in the paint, as the forward is chipping in 9.6 ppg to go along with 6.2 rpg. However, as a team, the Buckeyes have had some troubles offensively, and are currently netting just 67.3 ppg.

The Spartans also take the floor this afternoon boasting an impressive defensive resume, as the team has held opponents to just 62.0 ppg, and a meager 40.1 percent shooting effort. Michigan State has also done a tremendous job on the glass, outrebounding the competition by 7.6 rpg, and that includes a 6.6 rpg differential at the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, the Spartans have relied heavily on Raymar Morgan, who is producing 15.0 ppg, while also collecting 6.3 rpg. Drew Neitzel has been an outstanding leader in the backcourt for MSU, as the guard is netting 13.4 ppg, while dishing out 4.1 apg. Kalin Lucas (9.8 ppg) and Travis Walton (3.7 ppg) have also been able to find the opening shooter and head into this matchup with 120 and 137 assists, respectively. Goran Suton has done an excellent job on the glass for Michigan State, pulling a team0best 8.2 rpg, while also chipping in 8.7 ppg. The Spartans are not overwhelming offensively, but the team is producing a mediocre 71.7 ppg, while shooting an impressive 48.6 percent from the floor.

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