Matt Costello celebrates big win by lifting and twirling Tom Izzo
At the end of a monumental victory that halted Michigan State’s three-game losing streak and served notice that the Spartans should not be counted out, senior forward Matt Costello could not contain his joy.
First he skipped down the court, arms raised and a smile stretching from ear to ear. Then he chest bumped teammate Kenny Goins that it sent the 6-foot-6 forward sprawling. And finally he wrapped coach Tom Izzo in a bear hug, lifted him off the ground and spun him all the way around before placing him back down with a rough but affectionate smack on the head.
This is EPIC! Watch @MSU_Basketball‘s Matt Costello lift Tom Izzo and twirl him around as MSU beats Maryland. https://t.co/U9AeSe2G6v
— Sean Merriman (@BTNSean) January 24, 2016
Costello’s elation was understandable considering his starring role in Michigan State’s 74-65 victory over No. 7 Maryland. On a night when Bryn Forbes scored a game-high 25 points and Denzel Valentine fell just two assists shy of a triple-double, it was Costello whose toughness, energy and grit made him the difference maker for the Spartans.
Offensive rebounding was Michigan State’s best weapon on a night when it shot just 36.1 percent from the field, and Costello was a huge part of that. He out-muscled and out-fought Maryland big men Robert Carter and Diamond Stone all night, yanking down six of the Spartans’ 17 offensive rebounds and finishing with 12 boards on the night.
While Costello also scored 15 points and provided Michigan State with a much-needed post presence, his two biggest contributions were fittingly hustle plays.
Costello yanked down a critical offensive rebound in traffic after Alvin Ellis missed a corner 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds left and Michigan State clinging to a three-point lead. He then clinched the victory on the ensuing possession, leaving his man to swat away Rasheed Sulaimon’s driving layup attempt.
If this was Costello’s best game in a Michigan State uniform, he certainly picked an ideal time for it.
Michigan State (17-4, 4-4) was desperate for a victory after being blown out by first-place Iowa, falling by one at Wisconsin and losing a stunner at home against Nebraska. The Spartans even tried to change their mojo by unveiling blinding neon green alternate jerseys and giving its student section matching T-shirts to wear.
Maryland hardly represented an ideal get-well opponent considering its 17-2 record, its sterling top 10 ranking and its history of winning close games the past two seasons. The Terps also are still searching for their first victory over an AP Top 25 opponent, so they had ample motivation to try to come into the Breslin Center and win.
Melo Trimble kept Maryland competitive with 24 points, but he did not receive enough help. The Terps shot just 38.6 percent from the floor, settled for too many contested threes and struggled badly to keep Michigan State off the offensive glass.
It’s going to be difficult for Michigan State to get back into contention for the Big Ten title considering that Iowa and Indiana are still unbeaten in league play and four other teams are still ahead of the Spartans in the standings. Regardless, this was a big win for Tom Izzo’s team and a potential turning point in their season.
Valentine looked like his old self for a second straight game after missing the start of Big Ten play as a result of arthroscopic knee surgery. Forbes shook off the shooting slump that had coincided with Michigan State’s losing streak and sank four 3-pointers. And Costello displayed the all-out hustle and energy of a senior who is determined to make his final year in Spartan colors a special one.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
