CHICAGO — This game – a 65-60 win for Michigan State – was so good the coach cried before it was over, as only Tom Izzo could, after his Spartans cut Michigan’s lead to two Sunday afternoon at the United Center. There were 2 minutes left in the Big Ten tournament title game. Two minutes left of a holy tussle, of the third meeting this season between these rivals. Michigan State’s Matt McQuaid had just hit a 3, an answer to a 3 from U-M’s Isaiah Livers. The Spartans had been digging from a hole the entire second half and had been down five before McQuaid – having the game of his career – scored his 25th, 26th and 27the points. That they were even in the game was astonishing, considering they were down 13 early in the second half. U-M making 3s and smiling, a shot or two from ending the game right there. At that point, you would’ve understood if MSU had checked out. Not intentionally, of course, but as a matter of circumstance. Kyle Ahrens had badly sprained his ankle, howling on the court before getting taken off in a strecher. Josh Langford already was on the bench in a boot. Nick Ward had a bandage on his wrist. Cassius Winston had tendinitis in his knee. The U-M section of the crowd had taken over the United Center, Kenny Goins couldn't find his range, Ward unable to find his touch … because of that wrap. The junior center returned after a five-game absence on Friday. He gave the Spartans depth and solid minutes, but the Wolverines’ Jon Teske – all seven feet of him – was a difficult matchup. He couldn’t quite catch the ball when he wanted it. And when he shot, it left his bandaged hand without the usual touch. You could say the same of MSU. They were just a hair out of sorts. U-M's defense made sure of it. And then, just as it looked like the Spartans were about to get run off the floor, Xavier Tillman made a free throw, and Aaron Henry threw down a dunk in transition, and Winston found McQuaid for a back-door lay-up. And they kept coming and coming, cutting off lanes on defense and blocking shots, answering every U-M bucket with one of their own -- and more. When it was over, after Tillman made a layup to tie the game at 60 and Winston made one over Teske to give MSU its first lead of the half, it was too much for Izzo and the coaching staff. Several of them broke down, often in each other's arms, sobbing. The effort of their team was astonishing "Give Michigan credit because they outplayed us for two-thirds of the game," Izzo said from the makeshift stage as his team accepted the trophy. "Give us credit because we came back." At halftime, down eight, Izzo said the "battle cry was for Arnie and Josh." Surely that was true, yet this season, and this game was more than even that. This team has something about it. They are not done yet. Meanwhile, John Beilein will replay this one for a while.