WHAT HAPPENED: On a night when Michigan State couldn't score -- or shoot -- when Minnesota had made a late run to seemingly gain control, the Spartans came up with steals, rebounds and clutch free throws to grab a win. MSU used a surprising three from Durrell Summers -- he'd missed all eight shots from the perimeter -- four free throws from Keith Appling, and two more free throws from Mike Kebler to seal it.
UNLIKELY HERO: Appling spent the night running from the floor to the bench and back as his coaches tried to help him navigate Minnesota's pesky zone. Appling played tentatively in the zone, resulting in four turnovers. He shot 1-for-4. Then after all that, with his team down by two and less than 2 minutes left, he sank two free throws to tie the game at 48, then two more to give the Spartans a 50-48 lead.
SAY WHAT? Senior guard Kebler started in place of Summers. Kebler found himself guarding Ralph Sampson III to begin the game. Kebler is 6-fee-3. Sampson is 6-11. Sampson got the ball twice with Kebler on him. He scored once.
DREADED ZONE: Minnesota packed it in all night against the Spartans. The defensive strategy left space on the perimeter for MSU. They couldn't take advantage consistently. MSU shot 6-for-24 from beyond the three-point line.
THE INSIDE GAME: The Golden Gophers' zone took away MSU's inside game. When the Spartans did try to force it in, bad things happened. MSU didn't shoot a free throw until 6 minutes into the second half.
NOT QUITE HIMSELF: Draymond Green spent the last week battling a stomach virus. He started against Minnesota but still didn't look like himself. Even so, he snatched a couple of crucial late rebounds to help secure the win. Green finished with seven points and 10 rebounds.
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