By Larry Arreguin | Team Arreguin
EAST LANSING, Mich. — In a crucial Big Ten showdown at the Breslin Center on March 2, the Michigan State Spartans defended their home court with a thrilling victory over the Wisconsin Badgers, securing a hard-fought 75-68 win.
Fueled by a raucous home crowd and a dominant second-half performance, the Spartans (now 18-11, 10-8 Big Ten) overcame an early deficit and used timely shooting to hold off the Badgers (19-10, 11-7 Big Ten) down the stretch.
Second-Half Surge Seals It for Spartans
Trailing 34-32 at halftime, Michigan State came out firing in the second half, led by veteran guard A.J. Hoggard, who scored 12 of his 18 points after the break. The Spartans turned up the defensive intensity, forcing key turnovers and holding Wisconsin’s top scorer, Tyler Wahl, to just two field goals in the final 10 minutes.
Senior forward Malik Hall played a pivotal role, finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds while providing a steady presence inside. Tyson Walker added 14 points, knocking down clutch shots late in the game to fend off a late Badgers push.
Wisconsin’s Effort Falls Short
The Badgers, led by Chucky Hepburn’s 17 points and Wahl’s 14, kept the game within reach for most of the second half. Wisconsin’s three-point shooting cooled off after a hot start, finishing just 6-of-22 from beyond the arc. Despite winning the rebounding battle 34-31, the Badgers struggled with Michigan State’s defensive pressure late in the contest.
Breslin Center Magic and Tournament Implications
With the victory, Michigan State strengthened its NCAA Tournament resume and gained momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Coach Tom Izzo praised his team’s resilience.
“I’m proud of how we responded in the second half,” Izzo said. “We needed this one, and our guys stepped up when it mattered most.”
The Spartans will look to build on this performance as they prepare for their next test on the road, while Wisconsin will try to bounce back in their final regular-season games.
Raul Garcia