Michigan State vs Northwestern live stream: Watch online free Thursday 7:10 ET for Big Ten basketball as March Madness nears.

The 20-4 Michigan State (9-2 overall) Spartans will play host vs North Western (12-12, 5-6) for the second meeting this season. In the first showdown, the Spartans won by 14 points. Watch the free live stream online as both teams try to bounce back from losses.

Watch the free live stream online of Michigan St. vs Northwestern below:

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Michigan remains a half-game back of Michigan for the conference lead as things begin heating up in the season's final month.

"We're down to seven games in the regular season -- and it's hard to believe," Spartans coach Tom Izzo told ESPN.com. "With four home games, we've got to take advantage."

Northwestern is averaging a Big Ten-low 53.8 points per game in conference play.

"We don't have the firepower to run away from teams, so we're going to play close games," coach Chris Collins told the school's official website. That's why we have to take care of the ball. That's why we have to get good shots. That's why, when we get fouled, we have to make free throws. If we get a layup, we have to make it. And when we get our open shots, you're not going to make them all. But we have to make our fair share."

Northwestern is right in the middle of the pack of the conference and wins over a team like Michigan St. can carry in the long-haul for the potential of a birth in the NCAA tournament. They are trying to respond from a four-point loss after having the lead at halftime over the Nebraska Cornhuskers, which would have been their third stright win.