INDIANAPOLIS — All Denzel Valentine wanted Friday night was a win at the Big Ten Tournament. The glitzy numbers didn’t mean a thing. After finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in an 81-54 blowout over Ohio State in the quarterfinals, the Big Ten player of the year explained what No. 2 Michigan State is really after — a record-tying fifth tourney crown, a No. 1 seed in next week’s NCAA Tournament and, yes, the school’s third national championship. “We didn’t accomplish one of our goals, to win the Big Ten championship outright, and we’re kind of mad about it,” Valentine said. “The seniors, me and Matt (Costello), never won a Big Ten championship outright, so we’re kind of mad right now and we’ve got something to play for.” The Buckeyes (20-13) couldn’t get closer than 14 after Michigan State’s initial second-half flurry, and now all coach Thad Matta and his team can do is wait to see if they’ll even get a chance to play in next week’s NCAA Tournament. JaQuan Lyle was the only Ohio State player to reach double figures. He finished with 10, and Michigan State converted 14 Ohio State turnovers into 21 points. “When you play a great team, every time you make a mistake, they make you pay,” Matta said. …
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