Michigan State University
Minnesota
No. 4 Michigan State Holds Off Minnesota, 94-83
2/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 10, 2001
By JOHN AKERS
AP Sports Writer
MINNEAPOLIS - Though they were down to six scholarship players, Minnesota managed to scare fourth-ranked Michigan State.
The Gophers, led by Terrance Simmons' career-high 34 points, made 16 3-pointers against the Spartans' zone defense and pulled within two points with less than four minutes remaining on Saturday night.
Eventually, Michigan State's size and depth wore the Gophers down to pull out a 94-83 victory. The Spartans outrebounded the Gophers 41-23 and had six players in double figures.
"They're so good on the boards," Minnesota coach Dan Monson said. "That's kind of their trademark and what they do. Let's face it: They don't have a lot of flaws."
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo thought he found one.
Despite starting Aloysius Anagonye and David Thomas rather than freshmen Zach Randolph and Marcus Taylor for defensive reasons, the Spartans allowed the Gophers to make 16 of 30 shots from the 3-point line and have given up 26 3-pointers in their last two games, including a loss to Illinois.
"That's ridiculous," Izzo said. "You shoot 58 percent and barely win, it just shows we're not good enough defensively."
Offensively, the Spartans were too much for Minnesota. Charlie Bell led a balanced Michigan State (19-3, 8-3 Big Ten) attack with 17 points. Jason Richardson added 16 points, Andre Hutson 14, Randolph and Thomas 12 and Taylor 11.
The Gophers (16-8, 4-7) were down to six scholarship players after John-Blair Bickerstaff's leg was broken and Travarus Bennett sprained an ankle in Tuesday's game at Northwestern. Michael Bauer's forearm was broken two weeks ago.
Walk-on freshman Jeff Hagen started at center, and the Gophers played much of the game with a four-guard lineup.
"I knew I needed to have a big game," Simmons said. "I came to the gym and shot from 11-1:30 last night. I've been coming to the gym three times a day lately.
"I wrote J.B.'s name on my shoes before the game and told him that whatever I do for the rest of the year is for him. I tried to win this game for him, but I feel a little guilty that I didn't."
The Gophers made it 78-76 with 3:51 remaining on a 3-pointer by Kevin Burleson. The Spartans, who had led by as many as 20 in the first half, held off the Gophers by scoring the next eight points, six by Hutson.
"Before the game, we thought we could get the ball inside on their smaller lineup," said Hutson, who played despite a sore throat. "They did a great job with their zone defense, so when they went man-to-man we tried to go inside to get some baskets and pick up fouls."
Michigan State jumped out to a 35-15 lead during the first half, but the Gophers hit four consecutive 3-pointers during one stretch to cut the Spartans' lead to 41-30. The Gophers trailed 48-40 at the half.
