Spartan Hoopla: Kalin Lucas Is Everyone's Valentine, Sparty's Skid Ends

T.G.I.O.

Thank goodness it's over, the losing streak that is.

The 10th-ranked Spartans put the brakes on their worst slide in three years with a 65-54 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions on Valentine's Day weekend—a time appropriate "kiss good-bye" to the slump.

Michigan State's star 6'1" point-guard Kalin Lucas headed the charge with 24 points, 14 in the first half alone. Getting Lucas back in pre-injury form will be a must for Sparty come March, and Saturday was a push in the right direction.

Without Lucas in the offense in their "down stretch," the Spartans struggled to mount any type of intensity in their scoring attack.

Lucas' bum wheel plagued Michigan State in last Tuesday's game against Purdue as the Spartans looked confused and hesitant to shoot the ball. Lucas, Tom Izzo's leading scorer, played only 29 minutes and scored 12 points (working at half-speed).

Saturday against Big Ten bottom-dweller Penn State (0-12, 8-16) was another story. "Too Easy" had a considerable pep in his step, able to catch and shoot in what appeared to be little to no pain at all. He ran the court well, bull-rushed toward the rack, and was in full motion on the offensive side of the ball while still not at 100 percent.

Great players come through in clutch moments. Momentum has not been on the side of  Izzo's club after dropping games to Illinois (9-3), Wisconsin (8-4), and Purdue (8-3). A win Saturday was imperative not only to the team's league title hopes, but to its overall well-being.

Facing adversity can only make the Spartans stronger.

Retribution was claimed in College Station as the Izzo clan is still within striking distance of its sixth conference crown in 11 years. It just has to fend off the three teams on its tail (beating Purdue at Mackey Arena on Feb. 27 would help). Sparty also has a battle with Evan Turner's Ohio State Buckeyes on Feb. 21—an essential home win for Izzo's clan.

Chris Allen's shooting is on the upswing, and Delvon Roe's presence in the paint is beginning to make its way to the fore-front of Izzo's offense.

Allen went 4-for-6 from three-land, scoring 14 points and sinking key strikes when needed. Roe scored just six points and had three boards, but his physicality was vital.

Despite one of the Big Ten's best shooting displays of the year by Penn State guard Talor Battle, Sparty was able to come away with a confidence-boosting "W."

Battle was automatic from nearly everywhere on the floor, dissecting the Spartan defense from every possible angle when walk-on Spartan Mike Kebler wasn't hassling him defensively. He scored 30 points and was 7-for-11 from beyond the arc, adding to his "Spartan Killer" reputation.

Tournament time is just a few weeks away, the Spartans have weathered the storm without Lucas—barely. A strong (9-0) start afforded the Izzo clan an insurance plan just in case something came up, and it did. A hearty finish is in order for Lucas and company if they wish to be "king of the hill" in the Big Ten.