EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State coach Tom Izzo questioned his team's toughness during a home loss to Wisconsin on Tuesday.
Four days later, the Spartans coach got exactly what he was hoping for as No. 17 Michigan State had the emotional edge from the opening tip, pouring it on in the second half on the way to a 76-61 victory at the Breslin Center, ending a two-game skid and keeping the Spartans one game back of first-place Illinois the Big Ten race.
It was far from perfect as Michigan State (18-6, 9-4 Big Ten) started slowly, but an impressive game at the free-throw line and 18 points from Malik Hall sparked the victory. The Spartans were 25 for 28 from the line.
