STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - One after another, the MSU men’s basketball team continues to stack up records.
Saturday’s 76-57 win over Penn State (16-9 overall, 6-8 Big Ten) gave MSU’s seniors - Charlie Bell, Andre Hutson, David Thomas, Mike Chappell and Brandon Smith - their 109th career win, a new Big Ten single-class record.
The old class record of 108 was held by two separate Indiana classes, the 1972-73 through 1975-76 class and the 1990-91 through 1993-94 class.
“It builds a bond between these seniors that will never be broken,” guard Thomas said. “Down the road we’re all going to be at a reunion just talking about it.”
The seniors have a career record of 109-23, from the 1997-98 season to present.
“To say it was a big win for us would be an understatement,” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said.
The Spartans (22-3, 11-3) can list the record next to their fourth consecutive 20-win season and their 43-game home winning streak - both school records.
“We’re definitely setting a lot of records this year, but our season won’t be complete until we win the Big Ten championship,” forward Hutson said. “Speaking for myself, I really want it bad and getting another opportunity is like a blessing from God.”
Hutson also set a personal record against the Nittany Lions on Saturday with a career-high 16 rebounds. He added 11 points and a season-high three steals to record his team-leading fourth double-double.
“For him to get 11 points and 16 rebounds was huge,” Izzo said. “Andre Hutson, I think, is playing as good as anybody on our team.”
Hutson said the career high was nice, but added he’s focused on the hunt for MSU’s fourth consecutive regular-season Big Ten championship.
The Spartans are currently a half-game behind No. 4 Illinois for the conference lead, but if the Spartans win their final two games they’re guaranteed at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season championship. That would make MSU the only Big Ten team ever to win four consecutive regular-season championships.
Hutson said he could live with sharing the title if he had to, but added the Illini’s loss Thursday to Ohio State has given MSU new life.
The team watched the game together at Breslin Student Events Center, knowing Illinois had to fall for them to have any chance at the Big Ten title.
“It was like we were sitting right behind the Ohio State bench cheering for them,” guard Bell said. “It was a big win for them and it was a big win for us. It kind of opened the door for us and we want to get in there before it closes again.”
Bell tied with three players for a game-high 16 points against the Lions. He said now that he’s healthy he expects to have a strong finish in the regular season.
“This is our last go-around and we want to make it a good one,” he said of the senior class. “I still feel I’m one of the best players in the Big Ten and just want to go out and prove it these last couple games.”
MSU plays Tuesday at No. 19 Wisconsin and wraps up the regular season Saturday at home against Michigan. Bell said everyone on the team understands what needs to be done.
“Right now it’s winning time,” he said. “Everybody’s going to do what it takes to win games.”
Hutson admitted all the records have been special, but said he doesn’t plan to reflect upon them until the season is over.
“We’ve got one goal on our mind right now and that’s winning a championship,” he said. “It’s cool to keep stacking up the records and at the end of the year we’ll be able to look back on them.”
