Ohio State upsets No. 7 Michigan State, will face Purdue for Big Ten title

INDIANAPOLIS  — Seventh-ranked Michigan State beat Ohio State twice this year on its way to winning the regular-season Big Ten title.

No way the Buckeyes were letting the Spartans get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, too.

Ohio State used every bit of its depth and versatility, not to mention some nifty 3-point shooting, in overpowering the Spartans 82-70 in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament Saturday. It was the second-most points allowed this year by the Spartans, who lost for only the second time in 11 games.

"Yeah, we watch TV, and we've heard people talking about Michigan State getting a No. 1 seed. We were like, 'Not on our watch, not on our watch,'" P.J. Hill said.

Not a chance. Not when Ohio State (22-9) gets contributions from just about everyone on the roster.

Evan Turner had all 18 of his points in the second half, along with 10 rebounds and five assists. Jon Diebler had 17 on 5-of-10 shooting from 3-point range, William Buford had 14 and B.J. Mullens added 12. The Buckeyes shot 53 percent, including 9-of-16 from 3-point range, and made all but six of their 29 free throws.

"I'm trying to decide am I more disappointed with us or more impressed with the way they shot the ball," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "The better team won today. It's disappointing, because I don't think we gave it our best shot."

Kalin Lucas had 17, one of three players in double figures for the Spartans, who were hoping that sweeping the Big Ten titles might convince the NCAA selection committee to make them a No. 1 seed, especially after former No. 1s Pittsburgh and Connecticut and higher-ranked Oklahoma lost.

But it's tough to win when shooting just 38 percent, including 3-of-21 from 3-point range.

"I've said all along, we don't even deserve a No. 1 seed. Now we've made it easy on them," Izzo said.

Ohio State will play No. 24 Purdue on Sunday for a shot at its second tournament crown in three years. The Boilermakers beat Illinois 66-56 in the second semifinal.