You could feel it building all night, but it wasn't until a dead-ball situation in the closing minutes that it became readily apparent: MSU just wanted it more.
The Spartans battled tooth-and-nail with No. 1 Wisconsin for 36 minutes and 23 seconds, enduring 14 lead changes and 3-point shooting barrage from the Badgers.
Late in the action, 10 bodies hit the floor to secure a loose ball on the sideline opposite the team benches. Just 3:37 remained on the clock and the Spartans led, 51-49. MSU guard Travis Walton was whistled for pushing Wisconsin guard Kammron Taylor, pausing the game for its final TV timeout of the evening.
When the dust settled, every soul in the arena could tell which team would come out on top.
MSU's bench players ran — no, skipped — across the floor to help their fellow teammates to their feet. There was a bounce in their step. The Spartans knew victory was within reach.
"These chances don't come around every day," MSU guard Drew Neitzel said.
Meanwhile, the Badgers slowly ambled from the hardwood, dusted off their uniforms and headed to the bench to talk it over. They looked finished. They'd seen too many dives to the floor, too many second chances surrendered and too many jump shots launched. The final score — a 64-55 MSU victory — was a mere formality.
Taylor hit two free throws to tie the score when action resumed, but Neitzel soon went on a tear. He beat the shot clock with a high-arching tear drop over the outstretched arms of Wisconsin defenders, regaining the lead for MSU.
A possession later, he watched as his 3-point attempt from the top of the arc swirled around the cylinder twice, kissed the backboard and finally fell through the net — breaking the Badgers' backs. He ran back up court screaming, fists and knees pumping.
Neitzel's shot extended MSU's lead, 56-51. Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan called timeout to stop the bleeding, but it was for naught. The Badgers had run into the wrong player on the wrong night.
"I've been around long enough to know when I've seen something good, and that was an excellent performance," Ryan said of Neitzel, who scored 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting.
Wisconsin (26-3 overall, 12-2 Big Ten) started heaving desperation shots that never threatened to fall — front rim, back rim, wide right, air ball. They had nothing left in their tank.
MSU (20-8, 7-6) iced the win with free throws, then celebrated with the Izzone as the raucous student section emptied from the bleachers to the floor.
Travis Walton screamed to the rafters and bumped chests with strangers. Drew Naymick high-fived every hand in sight.
And head coach Tom Izzo just paused to take it all in.
"Everybody leaves a mark in a different way," Izzo said. "We talked a lot about leaving a footprint in this thing. I think we're the first Michigan State team ever to beat a No. 1 team at home.
"That's one hell of a footprint."
