Tom Izzo calls Travis Walton the best defensive guard in the Big Ten, but Wisconsin's Michael Flowers sure is making a case for that mantra tonight. With 3:39 left in the first half, Flowers has held MSU's Drew Neitzel scoreless with stifling pressure. Neitzel can't buy an inch - he's only attempted two shots - and MSU is down 29-17.

The United Center is close to capacity, by the way. There's a ton of fans here for the late Illinois-Indiana game, but also a pretty partisan Wisconsin crowd. Madison is well represented.