5 Things For Friday March 7: MSU’s Offense Gets Going Against Iowa

1. Against Illinois on Sunday, Michigan State could only muster up 46 points on 39% shooting.  Their offense got back on track yesterday against Iowa, scoring 86 points and shooting 58.3%.  MSU got a balanced scoring attack, but the most welcome sight of the night was Keith Appling scoring 12 points and knocking down two three pointers.

Travis Trice came off the bench and scored 17 points.  Denzel Valentine also played very well, scoring 13 points, dishing out nine assists and grabbing six rebounds.  It was a nice sendoff for Keith Appling, Adreian Payne, and Dan Chapman on senior night.

2. There was a huge game between two local girls basketball teams last night.  Grand Ledge and Haslett have been the two best teams in the area all season long, and they played for a regional championship.  GL won a close one 36-32, the Lansing State Journal reports.  Hannah Orwat scored 16 points for the Comets, who will play Grand Rapids Christian in the quarterfinals.

3. The boys district finals are tonight.  We'll have Eastern and Okemos at 6:45 at thegame730am.com, and will tape delay the game after MSU women's basketball.  Other games include Mason vs. Holt, Lansing Catholic vs. Williamston, and PW vs. Laingsburg.  You can get the full list of games here from the Lansing State Journal. 

4. The Red Wings retired Nick Lidstrom's #5 jersey last night.  Following that, the Wings dropped another overtime game, this time to the Colorado Avalanche.  Andre Beniot scored the game winner for the Avs.  The Wings are currently tied with Columbus for the final wild card spot, but Detroit does have a game in hand.

5. MSU has a busy weekend of sports.  The women's Big Ten tournament starts tonight for the Spartans, who will play Michigan.  The hockey team has two games against Michigan, and the mens hoops team will play at Ohio State on Sunday.