Branden Dawson has torn ACL

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Michigan State's national title hopes took a hit Sunday when the Spartans announced that starting freshman forward Branden Dawson tore his left ACL and is done for the season.

Dawson played seven minutes, scoring four points and making two field goals and grabbing two steals in the last second 72-70 home loss to Ohio State on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Michigan State (24-7), which tied Ohio State and Michigan with 13-5 records atop the Big Ten, will be the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten tournament next week in Indianapolis and was in contention for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament before the loss to the Buckeyes.

Now, the Spartans are likely a No. 2 after North Carolina beat Duke in Durham on Saturday night to win the ACC regular-season title.

Dawson averaged 21.1 minutes a game, 8.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and was a key member of the frontcourt rotation with senior starter Draymond Green, Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix.

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Andy Katz | email

Senior Writer, ESPN.com

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• Senior college basketball writer for ESPN.com
• 22 years covering college basketball, including on TV
• Former president of U.S. Basketball Writers Association