The men’s basketball team has revenge on its mind.
With Minnesota (14-9 overall, 7-5 Big Ten) and Indiana (17-8, 9-3) coming to Breslin Center this week, MSU has plenty of motivation. The Spartans (15-10, 6-6) lost each of the previous meetings in Minneapolis and Bloomington, Ind.
For freshmen Alan Anderson and Chris Hill, the two-game home stand has a little more meaning than normal. Growing up in Minneapolis and Indianapolis, respectively, they cheered for the Golden Gophers and Hoosiers.
On Jan. 5, the Spartans opened their Big Ten season with a 70-67 loss to Minnesota. Anderson said playing in front of family and friends while wearing green and white was a unique experience.
“It was fun,” the swingman said. “I was kind of nervous though.”
The nervous energy showed as Anderson fouled out in 20 minutes of play. He scored six points on 2-of-3 shooting with three steals.
Where Anderson struggled to get into the flow of the game, Hill shined. Against the Gophers he posted a career-high 25 points.
“I do enjoy playing against the zone,” the guard said.
But unlike the first encounter, sophomore guard Marcus Taylor will play. Without Taylor on Jan. 5, Hill ran the Spartans’ offense.
Anderson said he looks forward to the rematch. He has become more acclimated to conference play and said he expects to be more of a factor.
“I think I have more of an advantage,” he said. “I have a lot more experience shooting the ball and I’m a lot better getting after it on defense.”
Although Hill is focused on Thursday’s game against Minnesota, he can’t help but notice Sunday’s rendezvous with Indiana.
In MSU’s 83-65 loss to the Hoosiers on Jan. 8, Hill struggled to finish with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting and three turnovers.
“It took a minute to get myself together,” Hill said. “Obviously the outcome (on Jan. 8) is not what I wanted.”
Despite growing up in the Hoosier state, Hill never dreamed of playing for Indiana.
“Growing up, I always wanted to play against Indiana,” he said.
As one of the Big Ten’s leaders in three-point shooting (44.1 percent), Hill said Indiana always will be circled on his calendar.
“It’s a huge game for me,” he said “It’s a game I’m going to look forward to over my four years here.”
The freshmen have come along better than expected, MSU assistant coach Mike Garland said.“We didn’t know Chris would be able to spell Marcus at the point,” Garland said. “We didn’t know Alan was as good as a ballhandler and passer.”
Garland said the coaching staff expects their progression to continue, adding nothing helps more than conference action.
“There is no substitute for simple, basic experience playing in the Big Ten,” he said.
