University of Minnesota Athletics
MBB: Gophers Travel to East Lansing to Face the Spartans
2/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Matchup
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have lost two straight games for the first time since November and will face a daunting task to try and end the skid in East Lansing against the 10th-ranked Spartans. Since losing to Illinois at home on Feb. 1, MSU has rattled off three straight wins by double-digit margins. Last week, the Spartans defeated Ohio State at home, 83-69, and crushed Michigan in Ann Arbor, 64-49. MSU won the earlier season meeting between the two teams at Williams Arena, 69-55. Vincent Grier was held to a season- low six points in the first meeting with the Spartans. The only time the junior has been held below double figures all season.
Scouting the Spartans
Michigan State has hit its stride. The Spartans have won seven of their last eight and are 8-2 in the conference. They are two games ahead of third place Wisconsin in the conference standings. The Spartans are the only team in the nation with six players averaging in double figures led by junior guard Maurice Ager. Ager averages 13.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. Junior center Paul Davis is the team's top rebounder at 6.9 rpg and averages 12.4 points per game. Senior leadership is a key for the Spartans with Alan Anderson (12.2 ppg), Kelvin Torbert (10.3 ppg) and Chris Hill (10.0 ppg) all contributing night-in and night-out. MSU is a deep and experienced team as five of the six top MSU scorers are upperclassmen. The lone exception is sophomore Shannon Brown who averages 10.9 ppg.
The Series
Minnesota leads the all-time series 55-50 (including vacated games). The Spartans have won 11 of the past 14 matchups and the first game this season at Williams Arena, 69-55.
What's Next
Minnesota returns home for its final homestand of the season for a Saturday matchup vs. Ohio State. Game time is 4 p.m., and can be seen live on FSN North.
