17:30, 1st half - I am already impressed with Durant who has size like I haven't seen since the Syracuse freshman of 2002-3. He is in contesting on every rebound and has a sweet touch from outside on the floor, even with his big 6-9 frame.

15:50, 1st half - It is funny watching Michigan State play like a smaller school team. What do I mean? When an outmatched school plays the big boys, they usually take a lot more three point shots, and try to press a lot more on defense. Already Michigan State is trying to establish the outside shot because they are afraid of going inside against Durant and the rest of the Longhorns. Plus they are being very difficult on defense, believing they can force the young Texas team into turnovers, which is likely. Just so out of style for Michigan State who has had so many good inside players over the years. I don't expect them to live the entire game outside, but this is really a different style for them.

13:25, 1st half - While Michigan State is living on the outside right now, Texas can't fall into that trap. They have the ability to take it inside and should take advantage of that. Durant just took an ill-advised three. They need to be more patient and run the offense. This might be a little of the youth showing and a little of the "first big game" jitters.

8:45, 1st half - Durant gets his 5th rebound of the game and looks to be out-hustling the Michigan State team on the boards. This was exactly what Tom Izzo was worried about in his Monday press conference, with the Spartans not crashing the boards as much as he would like. Still Michigan State leads, mostly on the strength of their three point shooting so far.

3:23, 1st half - Michigan State is still living outside, but Texas has come back to take the lead. And the leader of that comeback, the freshman, Durant. If this guy doesn't win the freshman of the year in the Big XII or make the first team all-conference, I am not sure the voters are watching. He is doing everything. Inside, outside, steal, block. He has all the skills. I am going to hate to see him jump to the NBA next year.

Halftime - 40-36 Texas. I am still in awe of Durant. 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks. You can't deny him. Watching him is really something, especially with his arms and rebounding ability. Michigan State shot 6 for 10 from the three point line, which was huge in them being this close. That is half their points and still has them playing like a mid-major trying to take on a team which is bigger and stronger. Actually, that might be true for how Texas matches up against the Spartans. I am impressed that Michigan State has eight players on the board at this point. That depth will come in handy for them in the Big Ten season. I fully expect that long range percentage to drop in the second half, and I am guessing Texas will shoot better than 25% from the arc in next 20 minutes. Still a great half of basketball between two young teams.

17:03, 2nd half - I am disappointed in Texas's ability to make a shot that is not a dunk or a three point basket (although they are doing too great from three). Why shouldn't these young shooters have the ability to make a shot from five feet, 10 feet, even two feet away? Maybe that #18 rating by Texas is warranted no matter how much talent they have.

15:05, 2nd half - Matt Hill looks like Carrot Top with his hair out there. When I was in school, the freshman on most sports teams were forced to shave their heads to show their commitment to the team. This was not a good deal for some of these guys, whose hair never grew back. For Hill, this would be an improvement. Let's bring back tradition in the locker room at the Garden as soon as this game ends.

13:03, 2nd half - Michigan State took the lead on a three from Maurice Joseph. The Spartans are now 8-14 from long range and I still worry about their ability outside of that long range shot to contend. Despite crashing the boards a little more in the second half, they continue to have trouble penetrating. Of course, who am I to argue with that recipe? West Virginia lived off that the last two seasons, and it got them a couple of Sweet 16 appearances.

11:53, 2nd half - Idong Ibok. All I can say is wow to that block.

9:18, 2nd half - Durant has two points in the second half. That hurts, especially since he was huge in the first twenty minutes. Still, Texas is closing back to Michigan State because the Spartans are turning the ball over on offense.

8:43, 2nd half - AJ Abrams has been big in the second half. With Texas only making three baskets to this point in the second, AJ has had the right ones.

5:50, 2nd half - Despite Durant being able to take long shots, I don't think he should be right now. He is bigger than every man on the floor. He needs to take the ball inside and challenge the Michigan State defenders, who are at a huge disadvantage right now.

5:20, 2nd half - Abrams again for three which pulls Texas to 59-58. That is his 6th three of the game. That is six of the seven that Texas has hit. Anyone else think they should concentrate some more on the inside considering their less than 30% shooting from the arc right now?

4:02, 2nd half - Finally Durant is starting to drive and challenge inside to get to the line. This is what Texas needs to do to win games, especially when they are the more talented team. They don't need to shoot over 20 times from three point land to win. They have that good of a game on the interior.

8 seconds, 2nd half - Wow, I can't believe that Texas lost Neitzel on the dribble. No one covered the basketball and little Drew had a chance to just drive the lane for the go ahead score. 63-61 Michigan State. Unbelievable lapse in defense right there. and now the Longhorns only have two seconds to score to tie.

2 seconds. 2nd half - Abrams had a chance to make the three, dribbling against the defender and taking the long shot to win. Great look and just missed. Tough loss for Texas, and a very good win for Michigan State. I still hold on my opinion of Michigan State, although I think they have the edge on Maryland in the final game. Their three point shooting saved them tonight (9-18, 50.0%), although over time, it was less and less of their gameplan. Still in the first half, they would have been far behind if they hadn't been shooting 50%. Durant also did not have the second half like he did in the first, which is a credit to the Spartan defense.

Overall a very good game plan by Izzo and Michigan State. They did well shutting down Durant after half time and I commend them on a win that will look very good come tournament time. The Spartans might actually be the class of the middle of the Big Ten, which somewhat doesn't say much since past Wisconsin and Ohio State, not much is expected. Still that could be their ticket to a #7 to #9 seed and that is enough to get your ticket to the dance.

And as for Kevin Durant, I am impressed to say the least. He was good enough that my brother was calling me part way through the game to say so himself. That kid is a goldmine, and I really hope he stays beyond this year.

Ben Miraski writes for MRISports.com and is a featured blogger on FanIQ. Readers can contact Ben at bmiraski@mrisports.com