As is almost always the case when Indiana has faced Michigan State under Tom Izzo, Saturday night’s contest against the Spartans is a big challenge for IU. That is especially true this year, as the Hoosiers are in the midst of a 3 game losing streak and lost to Michigan State 85-57 only two weeks ago. On several occasions in the past, however, the Hoosiers have pulled through against great Michigan State teams, including several instances where the Spartans were ranked significantly higher than IU.
Today we take a look back at some of the more memorable IU home wins over Tom Izzo led Spartan teams:
JANUARY 21, 2017: THE JBJ SHOW
Since this game was essentially all about James Blackmon, Jr., what better way to relive the moment than to watch all 33 of his points on the afternoon. The Hoosiers won this one 82-75.
FEBRUARY 28, 2012: HOOSIERS TAKE OUT 3rd TOP 5 TEAM
Everyone knows the story about this Indiana team and their stunning upset of #1 Kentucky. Later in the Big Ten schedule IU would go on to beat #2 Ohio State and #5 Michigan State as well. The Hoosiers take out the Spartans in this one, 70-55. Cody Zeller scored 18 points, Victor Oladipo had 13 and Christian Watford finished with 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.
FEBRUARY 27, 2005: OVERTIME THRILLER
Bracey Wright scored 32 points and D.J. White added 17, including the tying basket in the closing seconds of regulation and the go-ahead basket in overtime, to lead unranked Indiana to a 78-74 victory over No. 10 Michigan State. The victory was Indiana’s 400th in 34-year-old Assembly Hall.
JANUARY 7, 2001: KIRK HASTON STUNS SPARTY
There really isn’t much that needs to be said. It is a moment that will live on in the minds of Hoosier fans forever. Unranked Indiana takes out the defending national champion and No. 1 ranked Michigan State Spartans on a buzzer beater:
FEBRUARY 26, 2000: HOOSIERS KNOCK OUT THE CHAMPS IN OT
The 2000 Michigan State Spartans would go on to win a national title, but they couldn’t finish off the Hoosiers on this day. It was the second of two overtime contests that year, with Michigan State winning the first game 77-71 at East Lansing. AJ Guyton had a career-high 34 points, but it was his air-ball that Lynn Washington caught and put in the basket with a half-second left in overtime that allowed the Hoosiers to pull this one out 81-79.
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