Big Ten Biggie: No. 8 Mich St Hosts No. 4 Michigan

February 11, 2013 5:25 PM

BLOOMINGTON, IN – JANUARY 27: Tom Izzo the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Tavis Trice #20 during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on January 27, 2013 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Michigan, Michigan State, Sports

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big ten, John Beilein, Michigan, Michigan State, Tom Izzo

LARRY LAGE,AP Sports Writer

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Tom Izzo says the nation is talking about the Michigan-Michigan State game.

For the first time in series history, both teams will play while ranked among the top 10 in The Associated Press’ college basketball poll.

Bragging rights won’t be the only thing at stake Tuesday night when the eighth-ranked Spartans host the fourth-ranked Wolverines.

Michigan State will be playing to move into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten against its on-the-rise rival and for another victory that might help NCAA tournament positioning. Michigan wants to win to move within a half-game of first-place and top-ranked Indiana in the conference standings and to boost its shot at being a top-seeded team next month.