Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Travel to Face Michigan State Wednesday
1/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2007
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Jan. 10, 2007 -- 7 p.m. CT
Northwestern (10-5, 0-2) at Michigan State (13-4, 0-2)
Breslin Center (14,759) | East Lansing, Mich.
Radio -- WGN 720 AM (Dave Eanet and Bob Hildebrand)
Television -- ESPN Plus Local (WWME in Chicago) (Mike Gleason and Shon Morris)
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern looks to snap a two-game skid on Wednesday when it takes on the Michigan State Spartans at 7 p.m. CT at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. This will be the only meeting of the regular-season between the two teams.
The Wildcats (10-5, 0-2) dropped a tough game at home on Saturday to Michigan 58-46. Tied at the half, Northwestern had its chances in the second half, but shot just 19 percent in the half and made just 1-of-13 from three. Tim Doyle led the 'Cats with 13 points and five assists in the defeat. Kevin Coble added 10 points.
The Spartans also are looking for their first Big Ten win after dropping two road games last week at Iowa (62-60) and Indiana (73-51). Much like the Wildcats, Michigan State features a young lineup after losing three players that averaged more then 17 points a game in Maurice Ager, Paul Davis and Shannon Brown. Only 22 percent of the team's scoring is back from last season.
Wednesday is the 109th meeting all-time between the two schools. Michigan State owns a 72-36 lead and has won the last seven. Northwestern last defeated Michigan State 61-49 in 2002 in Evanston.
Last Time Out
The Wildcats stumbled down the stretch last Saturday, giving Michigan a 58-46 win, a game much closer than the final score indicated. The Wolverines won despite only nine points from leading scorer Courtney Sims, who was in foul trouble. Northwestern managed just one basket in the final 6:58, a driving layup by Tim Doyle for the game's final points with 15 seconds to go. Doyle led the Wildcats with 13 points and Kevin Coble chipped in 10. Northwestern shot just 19 percent (5-for-26) in the second half. Sims, averaging 13.4 points, got two fouls and played only 13 minutes in the opening half. He hit three free throws to push the lead to six before picking up his fourth foul with 7:26 to go. Doyle made two free throws and then a layup to cut the lead to two. But Abram's 3-pointer moments after two free throws by Baker gave the Wolverines a seven-point cushion with six minutes remaining. Udoh missed two free throws, but Northwestern's Jeremy Nash couldn't covert a layup and then Brent Petway scored for Michigan to make it 52-44. After another missed layup, this one by Vince Scott, Northwestern's upset bid was over. Doyle's jumper at the first half buzzer tied the game at 28. After missing their first six 3-pointers, the Wildcats made three in a row late in the half, the final one by Coble for a 20-15 lead.
About The Spartans
As mentioned, Michigan State lost more than 77 percent of its scoring from last season after losing Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown and Paul Davis -- all whom averaged more than 17 points per game. But picking up the scoring slack is junior guard Drew Neitzel who averages just under 18 points per game and 4.7 assists.
The Spartans are always solid defensively and are second behind Northwestern in Big Ten defense, giving up only 56.4 ppg. They are first in FG percentage defense (.375), rebounding (37.6) and second in FT percentage (.711), 3FG percentage (.388) and assists (.17.0).
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan '77) is in his 12th season in East Lansing and has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments, including one NCAA National Championship, four regular-season Big Ten Championships, two Big Ten Tournament titles, four Final Four appearances, four National Coach of the Year awards and a Big Ten-best nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Two years ago he led Michigan State to a second-place finish in the Big Ten, which was capped off with a trip to the Final Four in St. Louis.
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