Michigan State-Michigan: Kalin Lucas Leads Spartans in Thriller Over Wolverines

Kalin Lucas was the 2008-2009 Big Ten Player of the Year, putting his team on his shoulders and eventually leading them to the national championship game.

Don’t look too fast, but “Too Easy” Lucas may just be in the midst of completing the second part of his magic act.

After Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has waited for Lucas to take over a game, especially one as big as a contest against in-state rival Michigan, his wish came true Tuesday night.

With the Spartans down one to the Wolverines in the waning seconds, Lucas demanded the ball from teammate Durrell Summers, took one quick dribble, and shot a jumper that went in so perfectly even Michelangelo could not have designed it any better.

Crisler Arena instantly became silent as Lucas pounded his chest and displayed a sense of emotion nobody has ever truly seen from the point guard.

It was a long time coming, but Izzo would not have wanted it any other way. He knew Lucas was capable of taking (and making) such a high-pressure shot, and he knew just as well that there would have been great odds of the shot going in.

Luckily for the guys in green, the shot fell, and they overcame a multitude of turnovers to come out victorious against a hungry team that fell too short once again.

The Spartans are still undefeated in conference play and are pulling out all the stops in their unprecedented run in school history.

A lot of it comes with experience.

Players like Lucas, Summers, Draymond Green, Chris Allen, and others have played in these types of moments over the past year or two. They have experienced ugly losses and unbelievable victories. They’ve been to the top of the mountain and had their hearts crushed.

Now, as college basketball currently has no true favorite to cut down the nets in Indianapolis, Lucas and company may have something to say come March.

Most people outside of East Lansing may disagree with such a sentiment, but it takes a good leader to become champion, and the Spartans have one of the best in Lucas. Just ask everyone in Ann Arbor.