The Gophers men’s basketball team wasn’t a Big Ten title contender, but that’s the way Michigan State coach Tom Izzo prepared to play before Tuesday’s 73-51 Spartans win at Breslin Center. The Gophers not only had the attention of the Big Ten-leading Spartans with a three-game winning streak,

The Michigan State Spartans got up big and never looked back as they rolled past the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team 73-51 on Tuesday night

Michigan State (17-2, 8-0) is looking to extend its longest winning streak in six years while Minnesota (11-9, 3-6) is coming off three straight victories – top-25 home wins against Michigan and Oregon sandwiching one at Iowa. Standout senior forward Dawson Garcia averaged 26 points and eight rebounds per game over the winning streak.

BOTTOM LINE: Minnesota visits No. 7 Michigan State after Dawson Garcia scored 31 points in Minnesota's 77-69 win against the Oregon Ducks. The Spartans are 10-0 in home games. Michigan State scores 81.7 points and has outscored opponents by 13.6 points per game.

The Minnesota Gophers' Dawson Garcia was named Big Ten Player of the Week, a testament to his impressive play in college basketball.

The BriefDawson Garcia was named the Big Ten Player of the Week of Monday after leading the Gophers to wins at Iowa and over No. 15 OregonGarcia had 31 points in Saturday's win over the DucksMinnesota's current 3-game win streak started with Garcia hitting a buzzer-beater from near midcourt in a win over Michigan MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - University

Dawson Garcia has been named Big Ten Player of the Week for his performance in Minnesota's upset wins over Iowa and Michigan. It's his second time winning the award and first time this season.

Evidence of progress for the Gophers has finally become public, and their loyal star Garcia has had his fingerprints all over it. He's third in the Big Ten in scoring at 19.7 points per game, 11th in rebounds and 13th in blocks.

Dawson Garcia hit a buzzer-beater from the mid-court logo as time expired to lift Minnesota to an 84-81 overtime upset of No. 20 Michigan on Thursday night. The desperation heave sparked a frenzied celebration inside Williams Arena as the Gophers (10-9, 1-6 Big Ten) celebrated their first conference victory.

The Gophers had 11 turnovers in the first half Tuesday, and the Spartans took advantage with a 11-0 lead in fast-break points. Minnesota had only one turnover in the second half, but the Spartans were still able to get out and run with 17-3 advantage in transition points.

Minnesota welcomed No. 20 Michigan to the Barn on Thursday night and put together arguably its best performance off the season. It all culminated with a buzzer-beating bomb from Dawson Garcia. The Gophers knocked off the Wolverines 84-81, as Ben Johnson earned his first win over a ranked opponent as a head coach.

Minnesota visits No. 8 Michigan State after Dawson Garcia scored 31 points in Minnesota's 77-69 victory against the Oregon Ducks. The Spartans have gone 10-0 at home. Michigan State ranks fourth in the Big Ten in team defense,