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Michigan State looks to avoid third straight loss

Feb 20, 2008 - 1:55 PM Penn St (12-12) at No. 17 Michigan St (20-5) 7:00 pm EST

EAST LANSING, Michigan (Ticker) - Michigan State would like to simply come out of Wednesday's Big Ten Conference home game against Penn State the same way it always has - with a win.

The 17th-ranked Spartans (20-5, 8-4) are 15-0 all-time at home against the Nittany Lions (12-12, 4-8).

Michigan State's chances of a conference title have diminished, considering the team has has dropped two straight, courtesy of No. 15 Purdue and No. 14 Indiana.

"It is inexcusable, and if I were a Michigan State fan, I would be very disappointed in the coach because I keep saying the same thing and it doesn't change," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.

Sophomore forward Raymar Morgan leads the Spartans at 15.1 points per game, but only scored three points against the Hoosiers. Michigan State is 12-0 at home.

The Nittany Lions have dropped four straight road games since senior swingman Geary Claxton, the team's leading scorer at 17.5 points per game, tore his ACL on January 15 against Wisconsin.

Junior forward Jamelle Cornley is averaging 11.8 points per game for Penn State and freshman point guard Talor Battle is averaging 13.8 points in his last five games.