It was a defensive win for the Spartans over USC thanks to Tyson Walker’s denial to the best opposing player.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Tyson Walker didn’t lead Michigan State in scoring in its 72-62 win over USC in an NCAA Tournament East Region first-round game Friday at Nationwide Arena.What the 6-foot-1 guard from Westbury, Long Island, did, though, was much more important: He silenced USC’s top scorer, Boogie Ellis, holding the Trojans guard to just six points, 12 fewer than his season average.That was the difference in the game.
“This is why I came here — to be in the position to play in games like this and win,’’ Walker told The Post after the game. “It’s definitely lived up to everything I expected. Coach [Tom Izzo] is great, the team is great.’’ “I’m not as low-key as you would think,’’ Walker said. “If you ask [my teammates], they’d tell you I probably talk the most.’’
“Yet, one of the things we said [before the game] was you cannot get a foul for reaching, I don’t care if they score a bucket or not. And he did. He was madder at himself than I was. I said, ‘Hey, you ain’t gonna be reaching or you’re gonna be sitting here.’’’ “Tyson is the definition of what a Spartan is: he’s tough, makes big plays, is a clutch player and is a winner. I knew he was talented from the second he stepped on campus.’’
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo snaps clipboard in heated March Madness momentThe Spartans head coach went berserk over the officiating, and snapped a whiteboard for good measure.
Read more »
USC can't keep up with Michigan State in first-round NCAA tournament lossUSC can't overcome an off game from star Boogie Ellis and falls to Michigan State in the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
Read more »
March Madness: USC an early exit following first-round loss against Michigan StateUSC is no longer dancing.
Read more »
How USC overcame growing pains to become Andy Enfield's 'most improved team'The path USC took from a disappointing night in November to Friday’s NCAA tournament opener sets it apart from Andy Enfield's other Trojan teams
Read more »
USC opens a campus in Washington, D.C., to expand presence in nation's capitalThe University of Southern California is expanding its presence in Washington, D.C., by opening the USC Capital Campus in the city's Dupont Circle neighborhood.
Read more »
USC women approach NCAA tournament hoping to learn from defeatThe Trojans, in their first NCAA tournament since 2014, look to shake off their last game when they face South Dakota State in Friday’s first-round game.
Read more »