The Michigan State Spartans (7- 6 Big Ten, 20- 8 overall) knocked off the AP-Coaches’ Poll number one team and the ESPN-USA Poll number two team—the Wisconsin Badgers (12- 2 Big Ten, 26- 3 overall) —last night. At home, the Spartans took over the game in the second half and won by a nine-point margin—64- 55.  In turn boasting their tournament resume, capping off a another winning college basketball pick for maddux’s premium members, as well as grabbing some momentum for the Big 10 Tournament, which is on the horizon.Junior guard Drew Neitzel (28 points) was instrumental in the second half as he hammered home numerous crucial shots. Wisconsin was led by Marcus Landry with 18 points.It was the first time that Michigan State defeated a number one team in 28 years– in 1979 the Spartans beat Indiana State in the national championship contest.

The loss put Wisconsin one-half game behind the Big Ten’s conference leading Ohio State Buckeyes (12- 1 Big Ten, 24- 3 overall). State hit 46% from the floor to Wisconsin’s 36% and the Spartans hit 44% of their threes to the Badgers 32%. Michigan State was also more productive at the foul line, throwing in 77% to Michigan State’s 67%. The winners out rebounded their opponents 36- 23.

The win helps assure Michigan State of a March Madness berth and also helped tighten up the conference rankings. If the Spartans go to the Big Dance this year, it will be their tenth trip in a row, ranking them fifth in the nation current consecutive years participating in March Madness. The other teams with longer streaks are Arizona (22), Kansas (17), Kentucky (15) and Duke (11).

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