B1G Hoops Recap: Wisconsin, MSU notch home wins

There were two Big Ten men's hoops games on Thursday night, and both had NCAA Tournament implications. No. 9 Michigan State cruised to an 85-70 victory over Northwestern in the early game, while No. 21 Wisconsin held off Minnesota, 78-70, in the second game of the evening.

Catch up on all the scores, stats and select in-game highlights in this post.

[ MORE: Big Ten Hoops: Mid-February Superlatives ]

WISCONSIN 78, MINNESOTA 70 | RECAP | BOX | PLAY-BY-PLAY

(AP) Frank Kaminsky scored 17 points, and No. 21 Wisconsin regained some of its frontcourt swagger in a 78-70 win Thursday night over Minnesota. Fellow forward Nigel Hayes added 15 for the Badgers, who kept Minnesota in the game following late free-throw woes.

Here's something you don't see everyday. @BadgerMBB 7-foot center Frank Kaminsky goes coast-to-coast for the dunk – http://t.co/grKrhPYxzL

— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) February 14, 2014

MICHIGAN STATE 85, NORTHWESTERN 70 | RECAP | BOX | PLAY-BY-PLAY

(AP) Adreian Payne had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 9 Michigan State cruised past Northwestern 85-70 on Thursday night to stay tied atop the Big Ten. The Spartans (21-4, 10-2) are even in the standings with rival Michigan – and those two teams meet in Ann Arbor on Feb. 23.

How long is Adreian Payne's wingspan? Watch the @MSU_Basketball senior extend for this thunderous one-handed slam – http://t.co/sbhQXGR7Xm

— Michigan State on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) February 14, 2014

Dare we say Magic-esque? Denzel Valentine with a beautiful no-look pass to Adreian Payne for the slam! Watch this – http://t.co/NU0umMfpD1

— Michigan State on BTN (@MichiganStOnBTN) February 14, 2014