March 1, 2009

Associated Press

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Michigan State won the Big Ten regular-season championship Sunday, holding off a late charge by No. 20 Illinois for a 74-66 victory.

Kalin Lucas led the ninth-ranked Spartans (23-5, 13-3) with 18 points. Raymar Morgan added 14 points and Delvon Roe had 10.

Jeff Jordan's layup tied it at 58 for Illinois (23-7, 11-6) with just over seven minutes to play, but Michigan State regained the lead and won coach Tom Izzo his fifth conference title.

Mike Tisdale led the Illini with 15.

Below is a recap of Illinois head coach Bruce Weber's post game comments

It's a loss but your team battled them to the end.
Bruce Weber: Yeah, I was happy the kids didn't quit. First of all, we spot them 7-0 and that was the halftime lead and ended being the game difference. Now you are chasing them all the way, get the tie but never get the lead. Two minutes into the second half, I call timeout, the were up nine and just ripping and roaring. Our kids had their heads down, pity party. I just said, guys this is it. You can battle and make it a game or just let them run over you. To their credit, they did battle, caught back up, very physical game, calls that could go either way that maybe don't go the way you see them....we had our chances, had the ball three times I think with the chance to tie it or take the lead and to their credit, they made the plays. Congratulations to Michigan State, at least a tie for the title. I think they will end up getting it. Just disappointing because we fought back and you wish for your seniors to go out on a positive note.

Jordan makes the steal to tie the game and that was as loud as I have heard this place in a couple of years.
Bruce Weber: They kept their poise. I think Trent had a couple of back to back looks that didn't go in and we turned it over down the stretch. Jump passes, careless passes, didn't have enough to get a victory. Proud of our kids, they didn't quit, people are saying Michigan State is a final four team and I think they look healthy. I know Tom (Izzo) is a little disappointed they haven't played as well to this point but they sure came ready to play today. They have a lot of weapons and sure crash the glass and push the basketball.

Tisdale second half did real well in the post.
Bruce Weber: He was hanging his head the other night. Hanging his head early and we said, Mike get in their and post up, shoot your hook. We got it to him, not enough probably down the stretch, maybe it was their defense, maybe we get tired. My fault that we didn't get it inside enough. But no doubt Mike got us back into the game and gave us a chance. Bad possessions in that one stretch, they had some but we had some also.

Lucas down the stretch reminded me of Talor Battle.
Bruce Weber: Same play. We watched it on film, talked about it, they run that high ball screen, center in there, just stop them, but he got to the basket and made some big plays. Walton making some big shots kind of iced it for them.

Still plenty to play for when you play Penn State on Thursday, a two seed in the Big Ten tournament.
Bruce Weber: Got to come out with a sense of urgency from the get go. Seniors said before the game, it's not about them, it's about Illinois and winning. If you win, great moment for them, still a lot of basketball. Now get ready for Penn State, take a week off and get ready for the Big Ten tournament. We set the goal for 24 wins and we have a chance Thursday night to get that.

What have you learned about this team since the start of the season?
Bruce Weber: Proud of the seniors. All our guys have improved. We set a goal to be 19-0 at home. Obviously we lost some tough one's here, Clemson, Penn State, Michigan State, we were in every game but at the same time, lot of things can happen, feeling good about ourselves, clicking going into post season. They have a lot of heart, character, still have some sensitivity, immaturity and if we can get through that, if we can take coaching, get a little more mental toughness, poise, we can make a run. But they have to take coaching. I will be honest with you, I wasn't real happy with them yesterday. I know it's late in the season, critical evaluation, you can't improve unless you listen and learn and I know coaches are hard but that's the key, coachability down the stretch. It's a difference maker on how we do.