SB Nation Pittsburgh - Big Ten Tournament 2012: Michigan State Wins Big Ten Championshiphttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-03-11T17:48:51-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26092212012-03-11T17:48:51-04:002012-03-11T17:48:51-04:00Big Ten Tournament 2012: Michigan State Wins Big Ten Championship
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<p>The Michigan State Spartans have won the 2012 Big Ten Championship, beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 68-64 Sunday afternoon.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/28194/brandon-wood">Brandon Wood</a> scored 21 points for the Spartans, with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52346/draymond-green">Draymond Green</a> putting up 12 points and nine rebounds. Ohio State had five players in double figures, including <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124094/jared-sullinger">Jared Sullinger</a>, who had 18 points and nine rebounds.</p>
<p>The two teams played a tight game throughout the first half, then had a seesaw second half. Ohio State had a seven-point lead with 14 minutes to go, but the Spartans reeled off 10 unanswered points from there to take a 55-52 lead. Michigan State mostly maintained a small lead from there. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124097/aaron-craft">Aaron Craft</a> made a layup to put the Buckeyes within three points with 15 seconds to go, but a foul shot by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26639/austin-thornton">Austin Thornton</a> shortly thereafter sealed the game for Michigan State.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Big Ten Tournament, be sure to check out <a href="http://btpowerhouse.com">BT Powerhouse</a></i>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/3/11/2862804/big-ten-basketball-tournament-2012-michigan-state-ohio-stateCharlie Wilmoth2012-03-11T15:17:54-04:002012-03-11T15:17:54-04:00Big Ten Tournament 2012 Championship Game Prediction: Michigan State Or Ohio State?
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<p><a href="http://www.btpowerhouse.com/2012/3/11/2861479/selection-sunday-topics-btt-final-and-selection-predictions">BT Powerhouse</a> makes its predictions on the likely outcome of the Big Ten Championship game Sunday afternoon between Michigan State and Ohio State. There are three picks for each team. Here's one writer on why Michigan State should win:</p>
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<p>Although the Buckeyes are playing as well as they have all season, Michigan State is built to defend <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124094/jared-sullinger">Jared Sullinger</a>. The Spartans have size at forward with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52346/draymond-green">Draymond Green</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99906/derrick-nix">Derrick Nix</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123903/adreian-payne">Adreian Payne</a>. On the other side of the ball, Ohio State does not have a man who can guard Green one-on-one.</p>
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<p>And here's another on why OSU should be the victor.</p>
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<p>I like what I've seen from the Buckeyes in the BTT so far. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52182/evan-ravenel">Evan Ravenel</a> has played well lately, and I think he will help balance out Michigan State's size inside. They're both pretty good teams that seem to be peaking in the right month.</p>
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<p>The post also features predictions about where Big Ten teams will end up being seeded in the NCAA Tournament. Most of the writers think Ohio State and Michigan State will be No. 2 seeds, with Michigan ending up a No. 3 and Wisconsin a No. 4. The authors say that Indiana will likely end up somewhere around a No. 4 or No. 5, while Purdue will be around a No. 9.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/3/11/2862408/big-ten-basketball-tournament-championship-prediction-michigan-state-ohio-stateCharlie Wilmoth2012-03-11T09:17:43-04:002012-03-11T09:17:43-04:00 2012 Big Ten Tournament Championship: Ohio State Vs. Michigan State Game Time, TV Schedule And More
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<p>Just one week after a thrilling game between the two teams to end the conference regular season, Ohio State and Michigan State will again match up, this time for the 2012 Big Ten Tournament Conference Championship, and with it perhaps a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.</p>
<p>Both teams have rolled through the conference tournament, winning all of their respective games by double digits, and Sunday's title game has all the makings of an epic.</p>
<p>Ohio State has won two of three previous conference meetings with the Spartans, and four of the last five meetings overall.</p>
<p>Here what you need to know for Sunday's Big Ten Tournament Championship:</p>
<p><b>Game Date/Time</b>: Sunday, March 11, 3:30 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>Venue</b>: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: CBS</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Big Ten Tournament, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out<a target="_blank" href="http://www.btpowerhouse.com/"><b> </b><b>BT Powerhouse</b></a>, SB Nation's Big Ten basketball blog. </i><i>For more on the two teams, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.alongtheolentangy.com/">Ohio State Buckeyes blog Along The Olentangy</a> and <i>Michigan State blog <a href="http://www.theonlycolors.com/" target="_blank">The Only Colors</a>. </i></i><i>Also, stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh for wrap-ups of Penn State's season in the coming weeks.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/3/11/2861744/2012-big-ten-tournament-championship-time-tv-schedule-moreT.J. Doyle2012-03-11T08:00:47-04:002012-03-11T08:00:47-04:00Big Ten Tournament 2012 Championship Game, Ohio State Vs. Michigan State
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<p>The 2012 Big Ten Tournament Championship game tips off on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Spartans will square off in the final round of the Tournament. The two teams matched up in the final game of the season for the regular season Big Ten Title with the Buckeyes winning 72-70. To make it to the final game, Ohio State went through Purdue and walked all over Michigan.</p>
<p>Michigan State split the season series with Ohio State, but the Buckeyes won the game with the most meaning. The Spartans worked their way through by blowing out Iowa and beating Wisconsin in the two rounds after their first-round bye. The Spartans will now try to win the rubber match and the Big Ten Tournament.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Big Ten Tournament, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out<a target="_blank" href="http://www.btpowerhouse.com/"> BT Powerhouse</a>, SB Nation's Big Ten basketball blog. Also, stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh for wrap-ups of Penn State's season in the coming weeks.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/3/11/2860960/big-ten-basketball-tournament-2012Alfie Crow2012-03-10T18:15:38-05:002012-03-10T18:15:38-05:00Ohio State Vs. Michigan Final Score: Buckeyes Crush Wolverines 77-55, Advance To Face Michigan State
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<p>Ohio State crushed rival Michigan 77-55 late Saturday afternoon to advance to the Big Ten Championship Game, where the Buckeyes will take on Michigan State, who earlier in the afternoon defeated Wisconsin, 65-52.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124094/jared-sullinger">Jared Sullinger</a> led the Buckeyes with 24 points and six rebounds and scored the Buckeyes' first six points, as well as eight of their first 10, as Ohio State built a huge lead early on. The Buckeyes had a 16-3 lead before <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52342/zack-novak">Zack Novak</a> finally hit a layup for the Wolverines with 11 minutes left to play in the first half. Ohio State had no problem holding Michigan at arm's length after that, holding a 34-21 lead at halftime.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124095/deshaun-thomas">Deshaun Thomas</a> also had 22 points for the Buckeyes. Tim Hardaway Jr. led Michigan with 13 points.</p>
<p>The championship game between Ohio State and Michigan State will be played Sunday afternoon at 3:30 PM on CBS.</p>
<p><i>For more Big Ten basketball, check out <a href="http://www.btpowerhouse.com/">BT Powerhouse</a></i>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/3/10/2860846/ohio-state-vs-michigan-final-score-big-ten-basketball-tournament-2012Charlie Wilmoth2012-03-10T16:00:51-05:002012-03-10T16:00:51-05:00Big Ten Tournament, Wisconsin Vs. Michigan State Final Score: Spartans Roll To Championship Game 65-52
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<p>The Michigan State Spartans punched their ticket to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game with their 65-52 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/wisconsin-badgers">Wisconsin Badgers</a>. The Spartans jumped out to a lead and held a 10 point lead at halftime, never looking back on their way to the win. Michigan State spread the scoring around with 14 points from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52346/draymond-green">Draymond Green</a> while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123904/keith-appling">Keith Appling</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26639/austin-thornton">Austin Thornton</a> picked up 13 and 12 points, respectively.</p>
<p>For the Badgers, their offense just couldn't get enough going to keep up with the Spartans, hitting on just seven of 20 three-point shot attempts on the day. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52390/jordan-taylor">Jordan Taylor</a> added 19 points while Ryan Evans added 18 points and five rebounds. Outside of Taylor and Evans however, the Badgers struggled to score points. The Spartans will take on the winner of Ohio State and Michigan on Sunday.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on the Big Ten Tournament, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out<a href="http://www.btpowerhouse.com/" target="_blank"> BT Powerhouse</a>, SB Nation's Big Ten basketball blog. Also, stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh for wrap-ups of Penn State's season in the coming weeks.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/3/10/2860568/big-ten-tournament-wisconsin-vs-michigan-state-final-score-spartansAlfie Crow2012-03-10T07:00:25-05:002012-03-10T07:00:25-05:00Big Ten Tournament Schedule For Saturday's Games: Michigan State Vs. Wisconsin, Ohio State Vs. Michigan
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<p>Saturday is the semifinal round of the Big Ten Tournament. First up is Michigan State vs. Wisconsin (1:40 p.m., CBS). Then at 4:05 p.m., there's Ohio State vs. Michigan (also CBS).</p>
<p>Michigan State got to the semifinal round after beating Iowa 92-75, while Wisconsin beat Indiana 79-71. The Spartans have beaten the Badgers twice already this season, once in early January and once in February. Wisconsin has stifled opponents with its defense this season, but after giving up 71 points to Indiana and allowing Michigan State to score 69 in February, the Badgers will have to be on their toes to knock off the Spartans.</p>
<p>Ohio State and Michigan, meanwhile, have split their season series so far, with OSU cruising to a 15-point win January 29 but losing by five on the road February 18. The Buckeyes are coming off a relatively easy win against Purdue, while the Wolverines needed overtime (and a huge performance by freshman guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145685/trey-burke">Trey Burke</a>) to beat Minnesota.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Big Ten, check out <a href="http://www.offtackleempire.com/">Off Tackle Empire</a></i>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/3/10/2859313/big-ten-basketball-tournament-2012Charlie Wilmoth2012-03-09T23:33:07-05:002012-03-09T23:33:07-05:00Big Ten Tournament 2012, Purdue Vs. Ohio State Recap: Buckeyes Roll Into Semifinals
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<p>The no. 3 seed Ohio State Buckeyes ended a day of quarterfinal action at the 2012 Big Ten Tournament with a blowout win over no. 6 seed Purdue. Ohio State stumbled down the stretch in the conference, but Thad Matta's club got a huge win on the road at Michigan State to end their season and take some momentum into the postseason.</p>
<p>That momentum was on full display Friday night, as the Buckeye offense was firing on all cylinders. OSU was red hot from the field, hitting 61 percent from the floor and getting uncontested buckets at will against the Boilermakers. The Bucks pounded Purdue on the glass, out-rebounding Matt Painter's club by 12. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124094/jared-sullinger">Jared Sullinger</a> had a dominant game, scoring a game-high 30 points on an efficient 12 of 17 from the field. Sullinger did it all, grabbing 12 boards and even stepping back and drilling a three-pointer from the left wing.</p>
<p>Ohio State will now face arch-rival and no. 2 seed Michigan on Saturday in the semifinals.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For the latest on the Big Ten Tournament, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh and check out<a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #000000; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.btpowerhouse.com/"> BT Powerhouse</a>, SB Nation's Big Ten basketball blog. Also, stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh for wrap-ups of Penn State's season in the coming weeks.</i></span></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/3/9/2859103/big-ten-tournament-2012-purdue-vs-ohio-state-recap-final-scoreBrendan Porath