The Gators enter East Lansing, Michigan as decided underdogs, and based off their results in Michael White’s first season as head coach, there are very few indications of an upset happening on Saturday.
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(AP Photo/Al Goldis). Former Michigan State player Mateen Cleaves, center, waves as he is introduced with Michigan State’s 2000 national championship team during halftime of Michigan State-Florida NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, … Senior forward Dorian Finney-Smith might cause problems for Michigan State in the post, though, as he is averaging a team-high 14.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Finney-Smith and Kasey Hill each scored 13 points for the Gators (6-3). The top-ranked Spartans will honor the 15th anniversary of that team and look to continue their best start since 2000-01 on Saturday when they host the Gators in the seventh all-time meeting between the schools. The Spartans were up 27-25 at halftime and methodically built an eight-point lead early in the second.
Forbes and Valentine were a combined 4 for 18 from 3-point range for Michigan State, which shot 5 of 25 as a team.
Marvin Clark and Javon Bess scored back-to-back baskets for the Spartans.
But the Spartans responded with a 10-3 run, and a tip-in by Clark made it 56-50 with 2:17 remaining.
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An 11-0 Michigan State with wins over Florida, Louisville, Providence and Kansas would make for the best resume in the country and even by the end of the year, those wins are going to look great along with some against the Big Ten’s top teams. That was the only time Tom Izzo led the Spartan basketball program to a national title, but this season has the same type of feel. Michigan State’s offense is good, but Alabama has the best defense in the nation.
