Michigan Triumphs over Spartans

Beats in State rivals for first time in years

ANN ARBOR, MI JANUARY 26, 2003

It was a Super Sunday indeed for the Michigan Wolverines as they topped Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans 60-58 this afternoon at Crisler Arena.  The two teams will not meet again in the regular season, although a rematch in the Big Ten tournament is possible.  The crowd, which included Greg Dooley, Lew Popoff, Scotty Muldrow and Ron Dooley up high in section 44, was lean, mean, but not-so green, due to some stealth ticket sales to M football season ticket holders.

It appeared as though MSU were outplaying the Blue all game, but the combination of poor free throw shooting by State and a few lucky shots by the M propelled the Wolverines to a close victory.  This was Tommy Amaker's first win over the Spartans, and hopefully not his last.

Down the stretch MSU held a five point lead, but Michigan went on a eleven point run to close out the game.  Wolverine senior LaVell Blanchard's only two points of the game were the difference - free throws that gave the Blue their 59th and 60th points.  The Maize Rage, the pet name for the student section, stormed the court after the game, enveloping the team and celebrating the removal of the gorilla off the back of the entire basketball program.

Who would have thought?  Winning thirteen straight games after starting 0-6, and now alone atop the Big Ten with a 6-0 record?  It's exciting again down at Crisler.

Related Links:

Michigan Football on Sports Illustrated Covers

Michigan beats Florida on Jan 1, 2002 to make it a 10 win season

Amaker gets first win over Spartans; Michigan atop Big Ten Standings

Michigan Raises Season Football Ticket Prices (again)