Badgers edge Spartans to reach Big Ten finals

Michael Flowers was the difference in the 65-63 victory.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

INDIANAPOLIS — Michael Flowers would have made a great cornerback.

Flowers intercepted a pass intended for Drew Neitzel with 30 seconds left, and his driving layup was the difference in No. 8 Wisconsin’s 65-63 victory over Michigan State on Saturday that sent the Badgers to the Big Ten title game. Well, Flowers’ strip and score and a whole bunch of fouls.

The Badgers were able to overcome a rough day offensively thanks in part to the Spartans’ foul trouble. No. 19 Michigan State was called for 30 fouls and had four players foul out — three in one 56-second span alone.

“I’m very disappointed in the outcome,” said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who was so upset he had to stop several times to compose himself in his postgame news conference. “I don’t plan on getting over this today. I don’t plan on getting over this tomorrow. On Monday I’ll get over it.”

The Badgers, meanwhile, are just happy to keep playing after rallying from 12 down in the second half. They reached the Big Ten tournament championship for a second straight year, and the fourth time in five years. Wisconsin (28-4) will play either Illinois or Minnesota, both of which need to win the title to get an NCAA bid.

Wisconsin has now won nine straight, and 22 of 24.

The Spartans (25-8) certainly have their thoughts about the outcome, but they’re not fit for the public. They were in foul trouble from the start of the game, averaging a foul a minute at one point in the first half. Leading scorer Raymar Morgan, and big men Goran Suton, Drew Naymick and Idong Ibok all fouled out, and Isaiah Dahlman was the only one of the 12 Spartans who played who didn’t get at least one foul.

Illinois 54, Minnesota 50.

INDIANAPOLIS — Shaun Pruitt scored 16 points, Brian Randle had 11 and Illinois’ post players overpowered Minnesota on Saturday, sending the surprising Illini to the Big Ten championship game.

Minnesota (20-13) was led by Lawrence McKenzie with 13 points and Damian Johnson with eight.