INDIANAPOLIS - Michigan State came up with the most improbable win in a instant classic that just might be the best tournament game to date.
The Spartans, trailed virtually the entire game against a young Jayhawks team that looked as if it would run away and hide from the Spartans.
But Michigan State, who trailed at one point by 13 and at the half by nine, looked like a team of destiny that wants to claim its spot in the Final Four. The Spartans simply refused to lose and continue to hang around a Jayhawks squad that wilted down the stretch to Michigan State's relentless pressure.
Michigan State got contributions up and down the roster from players like Goran Suton, who led the team with 20 points and eight rebound and Kalin Lucas, who scored 16 second half points and who's relentless pushing the ball upcourt eventually tired out the Jayhawks beefy sensational shooting guard Sharron Colllins to role players like Idong Ibok who played a key role in slowing Jayhawks center Cole Aldrich.
Guards Chris Allen and Durrell Summers both gave MSU a lift off the bench in differing way. Allen played a little point guard and ran a nice high/low screen set that led to a pivotal basket as MSU was marching on the comeback and Summers three point shooting combined with his five rebounds including a strong put back kept MSU hanging around when KU threatened to put the game away.
In fact, MSU trailed almost the entire game after holding a brief 16-15 lead. After a 10-4 run MSU tied it at 42, but the Jayhawks responded with a 5-0 run to jump back ahead. MSU took a brief 51-49 lead, their first since the first half, but the game turned as the teams went down the stretch with the game tied at 60-60.
MSU got a three-point advantage on when Lucas, on an isolation play, got Collins up in the air and converted the basket and the ensuing foul shot which gave MSU a three point lead. The team exchanged foul shots to make it 65-62 with :20 remaining.
Senior Travis Walton was called for a foul on the Kansas possession, but the former wide reciever turned shooting guard, couldn't make the front end of a 1-and-1, senior Goran Suton stole the rebound away from Kansas center Cole Aldrich and MSU survived and advanced.
GSN's Sean Scherer will have video interviews from the locker room and will post them shortly.