Pick: Indiana +2
Results: Indiana 70 - 55 Michigan State (W)Pick: Butler -11
Inside Assembly Hall, Indiana is the best team in the country. For the first time in the program's illustrious history, the Hoosiers have beaten three top five teams in the same season. They out-rebounded, out-hustled and flat out-played Sparty for forty minutes tonight. They had no answer for All-American Draymond Green, who may have just solidified his Big Ten POY bid, but no one else decided to show up for Michigan State. Green had 29 points on 10-17 shooting while the remainder of the Spartans had just 26 points on 10-34 shooting.
How did Indiana do it? Behind freshman Cody Zeller, who himself, may have just ensured his receipt of the Big Ten's Freshman POY award with his performance tonight (18 points on an efficient 7-12 shooting). You also can't discount Christian Watford's grit; from a banked in three pointer when the Hoosiers needed a bucket to setting a career high in rebounds at 14 (previously 11). The upperclassman's energy was contagious tonight, or maybe it was the crowd's energy that sparked Indiana's play.
Whatever the case may be, the Hoosiers avenged a fifteen point loss at Michigan State on 12/28 with a fifteen point win of their own. With the Big Ten tournament just around the corner, in what is sure to be a Hoosier fan filled Banker's Life Fieldhouse (took me reviewing this post four times to realize I had "Conseco" written), Indiana has just as good of a shot as any team to make a championship run.
Before then, hopefully the Hoosiers can keep the home magic alive against arch-rival Purdue this Sunday. Regardless of the outcome of this game against a top five team, Purdue will have it's tournament life on the line on top of their desire to avenge a home loss to Indiana earlier in the season.
Welcome to March, readers!
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