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GAME NOTES: Michigan State will begin play in the Big Ten Conference Tournament when the third-seeded Spartans battle the sixth-seeded Minnesota Golden Gophers in the quarterfinal round at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Golden Gophers opened the tournament with a convincing, 76-55 victory over Penn State. Minnesota, which finished 9-9 in conference action, has won five of its last seven contests.

Michigan State has won this tournament twice, but the last time occurred back in 2000. The 11th-ranked Spartans earned the third seed in the tournament by finishing conference play with a 14-4 ledger, and come into this event with five wins in their last six contests.

The Spartans have won the last eight matchups against Minnesota and now own a 59-56 edge over the Golden Gophers in the all-time series.

The Golden Gophers did not hold back offensively against Penn State on Thursday, as Minnesota scored 76 points in a 21-point win over the Nittany Lions. Minnesota shot a staggering 58.0 percent from the field in the contest, and also finished 9-of-19 from behind the arc. Devoe Joseph led the way with 15 points in the win, while Colton Iverson tallied 12 points. Damian Johnson finished with 11 points, while Lawrence Westbrook posted 10 points. On the season the team has been led by Westbrook, who is averaging 12.8 ppg, to go along with 65 assists. Blake Hoffarber is helping out with 10.6 ppg, and is shooting an efficient 48.1 percent from behind the arc. As for Johnson, he is contributing 10.3 ppg, to go along with 4.4 rpg, 73 assists and a team-best 60 steals.

Like most Big Ten schools, the Spartans have relied on their tenacious play defensively, as the team comes into this tournament holding opponents to just 63.4 ppg. Teams are shooting 40.6 percent from the field against Michigan State, but the Spartans are limiting opponents to just 32.1 percent from behind the arc. Offensively however, the Spartans are producing 72.8 ppg, behind an impressive 47.5 percent shooting effort. Kalin Lucas has been sensational on the season for the Spartans, as the guard is leading the way with 14.8 ppg and 117 assists. Raymar Morgan is contributing 11.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg, while Durrell Summers is netting 10.3 ppg, to go along with 4.6 rpg. Draymond Green has been helpful in a reserve role, as the big man comes into this tournament chipping in 10.1 ppg, to go along with a team-best 7.8 rpg.

The Spartans have dominated Minnesota in recent history and should have no trouble getting past the Golden Gophers this evening.