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CHICAGO – As Michigan players sat in front of their locker following their Big Ten semifinal win over Wisconsin, a horde of journalists rushed in with a matter of priority concern.
Outside of the locker room, Michigan was preparing to face Minnesota in the United Center's second semifinal.
The timing led to predictable questions about a possible Wolverines Spartans return match in the Big Ten title game. Spartans players were ready for them.
Who would you prefer to play in the championship game?
"I do not have a preference," said Xavier Tillman.
What would it mean to play Michigan for the third time this season?
"We are just excited to play for a championship," said Kenny Goins.
What if you played Michigan Sunday?
"I'm excited to play for a championship," said Tillman.
Michigan State tops Wisconsin to win Big Ten title
Michigan State and Wisconsin participated in a semifinal of the Big Ten tournament
Players in the state of Michigan were not about to give up any scoreboard to their rivals. And their coach, in his 24th year, knew what was coming and did a little post-game training for his players.
"I said that there would be a lot of these people coming and trying to convince you to talk about that," said Tom Izzo.
Tell his players to follow his orders, Izzo smiles.
"It's the first time in a month that they've been listening to me, so I'm really proud of them," Izzo said.
After the Spartans players left the building, Michigan finished dismantling Minnesota in 27 points. This means that the two teams will face each other for the third time in 22 days on Sunday, during the match of the Big Ten Championship 2019.
Two of these games will be for a championship, after the two teams met on the last day of the regular season while they were tied for first place in the Big Ten standings. Michigan State won this game to win the Big Ten title of the regular season.
Michigan State may have won the first two games in the series, but Cassius Winston said it would not give the Spartans any advantage on Sunday.
"No matter what has happened in the past, it's for a championship," Winston said.
Michigan State will get into this game after a hot start to the game that led them to Wisconsin. The Spartans opened a 17-point lead early on behind a 3-man barrier, including three from Kenny Goins. Cassius Winston then added a typical 21 point performance, and the Spartans were strong on the glass all night to win the rebound battle by 14.
The Spartans sometimes faded, but Izzo said he understood that, given his team's lack of depth and injury issues.
"We guttled him in the second half, we really did," Izzo said. "We have shown courage, it's a good basketball team, I'm proud of what we did, disappointed in some things."
The Spartans finally won thanks to a second-half defense that held Wisconsin without a basket for seven minutes in the second half.
"I think we just ran out, especially (Ethan) Happ," said Tillman. "We tried to make it work for all its buckets, so make it run a lot so that it is tired."
This performance means that the state of Michigan now has a third opportunity to play against its rival in just over three weeks. And even though players may not want to admit it, this can make the chance to win an even more special title.
"The rivalry aside, it will always be something, but the championships even outweigh the rivalries," Izzo said. "Would it be sweeter? May be."
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