The Illini's Lucas Johnson flattened an aluminum post and sent Illinois band instruments flying, sort of a warm-up for his later skirmish with MSU guard Mateen Cleaves. Good for them. We won't know until next week. Playing through this kind of meat grinder, surviving a grueling weekend, may not be the best way to prepare for the tournament that really matters. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
War is tough, especially when all it does is preserve the status quo.
The Spartans got the No. 1 seed they were going to get anyway and the Illini, whom Illinois coach Lon Kruger had described as a five seed that could slide either way, slid to No. 4. Considering what happened to Cincinnati's Kenyon Martin in the Conference USA tournament on Thursday, considering the curious shape of Bradford's nose as he sat through the postgame news conference, you can't help but wonder if it's really worth it. Postseason tournaments provide tremendous opportunities for teams that are on the bubble, but for teams that already are in a good position, they mostly offer a chance to lose what they have. They do not benefit the top teams. But I've been on the other side.