2/13/07 - News & Notes

The Michigan in-state rivalry should intensify when the two teams meet at Michigan State tonight with both teams desperately needing a win to boost their NCAA Tournament resumes. The Spartans have lost 4 straight Big Ten contests, but begin a long 4-game home stand tonight. Indiana and Purdue play the rematch in their rivalry tomorrow night. History shows that the Hoosiers can expect a much closer game this time around after they won the first meeting 85-58 in January. The team that has won their first game in the series by 10+ points is only 6-7 in the second meeting. Minnesota Center Spencer Tollackson broke two bones in his hand last time the Gopher's faced Wisconsin and missed the next seven games. Minnesota is a much different team with him back in the lineup and could cause some problems for the Badgers tomorrow night in the Barn. X-rays on Iowa's Tyler Smith's right pinky were negative and the Freshman is expected to play tomorrow night when the Hawkeyes host Northwestern. Penn State has lost 9 straight games and it is not going to get any easier in the near future. The Nittany Lions host Ohio State tomorrow night, travel to Wisconsin on Saturday, and then take a trip to Columbus to battle the Buckeyes again next week. OUCH!