You sit down to watch No 1. Illinois and No. 12 Michigan State knowing two things: Fans of both schools despise Michigan, and one of these teams is going to lose tonight.
Let’s follow the bouncing ball.
6:01 p.m.: ESPN’s Dick Vitale has been assigned to the game. Right now fans back in Champaign would be tipping over taxi cabs. If Champaign had taxi cabs.
6:08: Tom Izzo told espn.com that he welcomes the challenge of facing the No. 1 team in the nation. Maybe the Illini should keep their ranking a secret from now on.
Michigan State leads, 8-6.
6:15: Luther Head’s 3-pointer ties it at 12-12. Is Head an NBA-caliber guard? He reminds me of Michael Finley with more speed. OK, slow down. It’s only February.
Tied, 12-12.
6:17: Nick Smith has his first and only career dunking opportunity and opts for the layup. It’s a personal choice, I understand.
Illinois leads, 16-12.
6:23: Six 3-pointers for Illinois. None for the Spartans. You do the math. I’m busy slamming down dinner between possessions.
Illinois, 28-20.
6:25: Vitale said that if Illinois wins this game, they run the table in the regular season. If you’re expecting flowers and candy from Illinois coach Bruce Weber, forget it.
Illinois, 31-20.
6:30: Random thoughts during a timeout: Steve Mariucci is at the game. Huh, I thought the Detroit Lions would be busy preparing for the Super Bowl this week. Also, the Spartans call their student section the “Izzone.” Wonder if California calls theirs the “Calzone.”
6:34: Weber is wearing the blue blazer on the road. Very tasteful. The Spartans just hit their first 3-pointer, and now we’re seeing more 3s than … a game … of … Three Card Monte.
Illinois, 34-29.
6:37: Back in the ESPN studio, Jay Bilas said Illinois is getting “quality shots.” Thanks, Jay.
Illinois, 36-29.
6:42: Sideline reporter Doris Burke mentions Deron Williams could have wound up at Kansas, North Carolina or Georgia Tech. But not Yale.
6:44: Maurice Ager just used his 39-inch vertical leap on a dunk. Man, 39 inches. Most people get airsick at 20.
Illinois, 38-31.
Halftime: Illinois leads 41-33. The Illini shot 9-of-17 on 3-pointers while the Spartans shot 3-of-9. Paul Davis leads the Spartans with 10 points, Dee Brown leads the Illini with 13. And ESPN’s Mike Tirico is in the crowd. For East Lansing, that’s big.
7:02: Shannon Brown’s two quick buckets wake up the crowd. Not that they were sleeping but, oh, you know what I meant.
Illinois, 41-37.
7:05: Spartans play a zone, and Head keeps living in a zone as he knocks down two more 3s and a dunk.
Illinois, 53-40.
7:16: Vitale says Illinois fans don’t have to worry. Illinois is up 55-42 with 13:26 left. Sir, Illinois fans worry. It’s in the blood.
7:20: Williams just ran down the shot clock and stuck a jumper. Does he do that just to make it interesting?
Illinois, 64-47.
7:28: Illinois hits its 11th straight shot. Hey, “The Hunt for Red October” is on WGN!
Illinois, 71-56.
7:35: With no exaggeration, Dee Brown is the fastest human on the planet. Ever.
Illinois, 73-61.
7:40: This 8-0 run has the Spartans back in it. Too little, too late? Too soon to tell. Two for tea, and tea for two.
Illinois, 75-66.
7:50: Spartans (15-3) had several chances to close the gap at the end, but Illinois (22-0) wouldn’t fold and racks up its 18th straight Big Ten victory. Just a reminder: The conference tournament is in Chicago.
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Edited by Chris Malcolm (ccmalcolm@tribune.com) and Drew Sottardi (dsottardi@tribune.com)
