Spartans Seek March Madness Boost in Rivalry Showdown

0:00On March 8, Michigan State heads to Ann Arbor Sunday for the regular season finale against rival Michigan. The number 8 Spartans sit at 25 wins and 5 losses, riding a 5-game winning streak. A victory would lock up the number 2 seed in next week's Big Ten tournament in Chicago, and boost their case for a number 2 NCAA tournament seed. The number 3 Wolverines with 28 wins and 2 losses already clinched the conference title and the top seed. The Spartans punched their ticket with a strong road win and number 14 Purdue and a close 91-87 victory over Rutgers on. Senior Knight. Michigan dominated MSU 83-71 back on January 30th at home. Still, the Wolverines went unbeaten on Big Ten Road games this season. Their only conference loss coming at home to Wisconsin. Players like Point Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. call this the best rivalry and basketball, always competitive and full of fire. Spartans coach Tom Izzo praised Michigan as the deepest team in the country, capable of a number 1 NCAA seed, despite a loss to Duke.

1:07The game means everything for postseason positioning, even if the title is off the table. MSU swept both meetings with Michigan last year, en route to the Big Ten crown. Four-year seniors, Jackson Kohler and Carson Cooper, hold a 5-2 record against the Wolverines and won one more win before the postseason. They've grown since the January loss and planned to bring extra intensity to the hostile Chrysler Center. Both teams tip off at 4.30 p.m. on CBS, setting the stage for a heated clash that could propel Michigan State deep into March madness.