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Northwestern coach Chris Collins wants his team to take a step forward this year after struggling last season.
COLLEGE PARK, MD – FEBRUARY 18: Head Coach Chris Collins of the Northwestern Wildcats watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 18, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
It’s early yet, but the Wildcats made quite a statement Sunday night.
Boo Buie scored a career-high 30 points and Northwestern beat Michigan State for the first time in almost a decade, holding off the No. 4 Spartans for a 79-65 victory.
Pete Nance added 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists in Northwestern’s biggest win since its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017. Freshman Ty Berry had 12 points in the Big Ten opener for each school, including three of the Wildcats’ 10 3-pointers.
“I just thought every time they tried to make a push I thought our guys just made some great plays,” Collins said.
MADISON, WISCONSIN – MARCH 04: Head coach Chris Collins of the Northwestern Wildcats meets with Boo Buie #0 in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on March 04, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Northwestern (4-1) stopped a 12-game slide in the series with its first victory over Michigan State since Jan. 14, 2012. It also was the Wildcats’ first win over a top-five team in the AP poll since an 83-65 victory over Magic Johnson and then-No. 4 Michigan State on Jan. 27, 1979.
Coming off a frustrating 8-23 season that included just three wins in the Big Ten, it was a night to savor for Buie, Nance, and the rest of the Wildcats who learned some tough lessons last year.
“We’re trying to change the narrative on what everybody thinks about us, that we can’t finish, all this stuff,” Nance said. “We’re just a really tight-knit group and we just love playing together and being out there with each other.”
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 13:Players from the Michigan State Spartans gather on the side lines before the start of the first half of a college basketball game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at the Breslin Center on December 13, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Oakland 109-91. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
The Spartans looked rusty in their first game in a week and just their second overall since Dec. 7. They were supposed to play Virginia on Dec. 9, but that game was postponed because of COVID-19 issues with the Cavaliers.
Aaron Henry scored 11 points for Michigan State (6-1), and Malik Hall finished with 10 points and nine boards. The Spartans shot just 39% (26 for 67) from the field.
“One of the more inept performances of my 26 years,” coach Tom Izzo said. “It’s kind of a harsh statement. I’m blaming myself. I’m the one that has to have my team ready.”
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half of the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Breslin Center on December 6, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Michigan State also had a scare when starting forward Joey Hauser left late in the first half with a left knee injury. But he returned early in the second half and finished with five points on 2-for-7 shooting.
Northwestern led by as many as 21 at 61-40 with 11:57 left. Michigan State responded with a 9-0 run, including a three-point play by Henry, but Berry steadied the Wildcats with a 3 with 8:47 remaining.
Buie hit four foul shots and a 3 in the final two minutes to help close it out. The sophomore guard went 9 for 15 from the field, including a 5-for-6 performance from beyond the arc.
“Every time I step on the court I just try to take what the game is giving me, whether that may be scoring, finding my teammates, leading or all of the above,” Buie said.
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 09: Boo Buie #0 of the Northwestern Wildcats in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during a college basketball game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 9, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Northwestern 77-73. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Michigan State looked rusty early on and a fired-up Northwestern team took advantage. Buie, who scored a career-high 26 points in Northwestern’s 77-72 loss to Michigan State last December, hit consecutive 3-pointers to give the Wildcats a 34-23 lead with 3:34 left in the first half.
Nance made another 3 with 51 seconds left, helping Northwestern to a 43-30 lead at the break. The Spartans shot 35% (12 for 34) in the first half, compared to 52% (14 for 27) for the Wildcats.
“We just didn’t come to play,” Michigan State guard Joshua Langford said. “We messed up a lot of coverages defensively. We just (weren’t) there as a unit overall.”
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans warms up before the game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Breslin Center on November 25, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
BIG PICTURE
Michigan State: It was an uncharacteristic performance by the Spartans in several areas. Izzo said he can live with the poor shooting, but he called the defense and rebounding “ridiculous.” Michigan State had a 33-32 edge on the glass.
Northwestern: Nance’s play at the beginning of the game helped the Wildcats get off to a solid start, and they responded every time the Spartans made a charge in the second half. Northwestern went 15 for 18 at the free-throw line for the game, compared to 5 for 10 for Michigan State.
UP NEXT
Michigan State: Hosts No. 12 Wisconsin on Friday afternoon.
Northwestern: Visits Indiana on Wednesday night.
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