INDIANAPOLIS - Michigan State showed why it will be a factor to make it to the Final Four - its depth.
The Spartans shook off foul trouble to its big men and in the process shook off a pesky Minnesota squad for the third time this season 64-56.
While Minnesota held Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas in check, MSU's bench came up big with 11 points from little used Marquis Gray while guard Chris Allen led MSU with 17 off the oak.
Minnesota played tough and actually led for most of the first half, jumping out to an early six point lead before MSU bounced back to claim a 33-30 halftime lead.
But MSU built it up to a ten point lead by going on an 8-0 run that could have been a 10-0 run but Marquis Gray, the surprise star for Michigan State, missed two free throws.
Gray had one of his best games in his tournament history, scoring 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting, 5-of-8 from the line and grabbing six boards including three offensive.
But it was sophomore guard Chris Allen who had a strong performance off the bench, scoring 17 for MSU including two three-point bombs to help extend MSU's lead and sealed the win with two free throws down the stretch for State.
GSN's Garrett Jackson and Sean Scherer are in Indianapolis and will have post game interviews, video, the postgame press conference and player reaction this afternoon.
MSU faces the winner of the Wisconsin-Ohio State tilt this afternoon.