Michigan State was led by Drew Neitzel with 21 points, but Chris Allen was the only other Spartan to reach double figures. He finished with 10.

What upset coach Tom Izzo most, though, was the Spartans continuing trouble with turnovers. This time, it helped Indiana rally from an early 15-4 deficit to charge ahead 37-26 late in the first half. After that, the Spartans were never close enough to give Indiana a serious scare.

The Spartans have lost two straight.

“We shot 60 percent in the first half and gave up four baskets on breakaway dunks because of the 12 turnovers,” Izzo said. “We were not going to turn it over in the second half and we started out with three turnovers in a row. 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.”

The Hoosiers wasted no time in extending their 41-33 halftime lead.

A 12-4 run gave Indiana a 57-41 lead with 13:43 left, and while the Hoosiers led by as much as 19, the Spartans never got closer than 12.

By game’s end, the biggest question again surrounded Sampson.

The early boos, led by the student section, were drowned out by cheers as they repeatedly chanted his name.

And while Sampson tried to deflect the attention from himself, again declining to answer questions about the allegations after the victory, Indiana’s players were clearly on his side.

“We play for coach every game,” Gordon said. “I think that’s why we’re all here. We came here to play for coach.”

MORE FROM COLLEGE BASKETBALL

College basketball Section Front

UCLA will make noise eventually   Vote: Who will be player of the year? Beyond the Arc: ’Nova facing issues with frosh Seton Hall basketball player charged with DWI Beyond the Arc: Celebrating college hoops’ last Rebels 5 Razorbacks suspended for opener Beyond the Arc: Carolina will be scary good by March Men’s Top 25 preview, analysis, stats, more Davis: Kansas tops 2009-10 hoops storylines Elite scorers, sleeper teams, top conferences, more College basketball Section Front   Add College basketball headlines to your news reader: