Post Game Notes: Michigan

Feb. 6, 2016

With today's victory, Michigan State recorded its 16th 20-win season in the last 19 years, all under head coach Tom Izzo. Of the 24 20-win seasons in Spartan history, Izzo has been involved in 21 of them, 16 as a head coach and five as an assistant.

Michigan State shot a season-best 64.0-percent from the floor, beating out its previous best of 62.7-percent against Boston College on Nov. 26. It was the ninth time this year MSU has shot above 50-percent from the field and second time above 60-percent. It was the first time since Nov. 21, 2014 against Loyola Chicago that the Spartans shot 60-perecnt or better in both halves (66.7 - first half, 61.5 - second half).

The 16-point victory is the largest over Michigan since Feb. 12, 2013, when the Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 75-52, at the Breslin Center. It is the largest margin of victory for MSU in Ann Arbor since MSU bested Michigan by 27, 91-64, on Jan. 30, 2001. The Spartans led by as many as 30 with 2:48 to play.

The Spartans out-rebounded Michigan, 35-20, marking the 22^nd opponent MSU has beaten on the glass. MSU came into the game with a +12.7 rebounding margin, which ranked first in the nation.

Entering the contest converting on 33 of their last 58 from beyond the arc, the Spartans opened the game in Ann Arbor 5-of-5 from deep. MSU finished the contest 14-of-22 (.636) from range. Over the last three games, the Spartans have made 47 3-point field goals, making 58.8 percent of their attempts.

MSU's starting senior trio of Matt Costello, Bryn Forbes and Denzel Valentine totaled 64 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists.

Senior guard Bryn Forbes has knocked down six or more 3-point field goals in the first half of the last two games. Forbes hit 7-of-9 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes at Michigan, and hit his only attempt in the second half. Forbes is 14 of his last 20 attempts (.700) from beyond the arc. Forbes' career-high 8 3-pointers were the most of any Spartan this season in a single game and the most since Chris Hill his a program best 10 against Syracuse on Feb. 23, 2003. The eight 3-pointers matched the third-best single-game effort in MSU history.

Senior guard Denzel Valentine finished the contest with 21 points to go with a team-high nine rebounds and eight assists. Valentine has led the Spartans in points, rebounds or assists in 19 of 20 games played this season.

After blocking one shot, Matt Costello is now one block shy of pulling even with Drew Naymick for third all-time in MSU history for career blocks. Costello ranks fourth in MSU history with 133 blocks. Drew Naymick ranks third with 134 blocks. Branden Dawson is the MSU career leader with 142 blocks.

Costello finished the contest with 14 points and eight rebounds. He has scored in double-figures in five of the last seven outings.

Seniors Matt Costello, Bryn Forbes and Denzel Valentine, redshirt junior Eron Harris and freshman Deyonta Davis earned the start for the fifth-consecutive game. The combination is 3-1 this season. Five-straight games as a unit is the most since sophomore Tum Tum Nairn Jr., Forbes, Valentine, sophomore Javon Bess and Costello started the first 12 games of the season.

Michigan leads the all-time series with Michigan State, 97-80, including a 60-31 advantage in games played in Ann Arbor. MSU has won 24 of the last 33 games overall. Tom Izzo is 24-14 in his career against the Wolverines, and has won nine of the last 16 games at Crisler.

Players Mentioned

Javon Bess

Matt Costello

Deyonta Davis

Branden Dawson

Bryn Forbes

Eron Harris

Denzel Valentine

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