Men's Basketball Hosts No. 13 Illinois
1/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 31, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
2002-03 Michigan State BasketballMichigan State (11-8, 3-4)vs. Illinois (15-3, 5-2)February 2, 20031:00 P.M. ESTBreslin Center (14,759)East Lansing, Mich.
Radio: Spartan Sports Network - Will Tieman (Play by Play), Gus Ganakas (Color). Flagship - WJIM (1240 AM/97.5 FM)
TV: CBS - Dick Enberg (Play by Play), Clark Kellogg (Color)
Michigan State Game Notes
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The Opening Tip
Spartans Go For Two In A Row - After defeating No. 19 Indiana on Tuesday night, Michigan State will look for a second-straight victory over a ranked opponent. The Spartans own a 9-1 home record, including 3-0 in the Big Ten. Illinois is 2-3 on the road, including 2-2 in the Big Ten. MSU is 3-1 against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 at the time of the game, including 2-0 in the Breslin Center.
Game 19 Notes - Michigan State 61 - Indiana 54 * In the second half, Michigan State shot 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from the field, while holding Indiana to 36.8 percent (7-of-19).
* Michigan State outscored Indiana, 30-16, in the paint, including 20-6 in the second half.
* Michigan State's defense held Bracey Wright to four points on 1-of-6 shooting in 29 minutes. Entering the game, Wright was averaging 19.1 points.
* Michigan State outrebounded Indiana, 15-6, in the second half, including allowing the Hoosiers just one offensive board in the half.
* Alan Anderson had a perfect shooting night, connecting on all four field goal attempts and all four free throws.
* Kelvin Torbert scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds in what Tom Izzo described as his best performance as a Spartan.
Dominating The Big Ten - Since the 1997-98 season, Michigan State and Illinois have been the two most successful programs in the Big Ten. MSU has posted a 67-20 Big Ten record, a remarkable winning percentage of .770. Illinois has the second-best record over that same time period, posting a 56-31 mark. (Records through games of Jan. 29.) Over that stretch, the Spartans won four straight Big Ten Championships, while the Illini won three titles. Michigan State and Illinois shared conference titles in 1998 and 2001.
Defensive Stoppers - In both of Michigan State's last two games, the Spartans have shut down the opponent's top scorer. Michigan's LaVell Blanchard entered last Sunday's game averaging 17.8 points. He was held to two points on 0-of-5 shooting, with both points coming at the free throw line in the final minute when the Spartans were forced to foul. Indiana's Bracey Wright entered Tuesday's game averaging 19.1 points, but managed to score just four against MSU on 1-of-6 shooting in 29 minutes of action.
Coach Izzo - In his eighth year, Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan, '77) is 178-73 (.709), 85-38 (.691) in the Big Ten, as the coach of the Michigan State basketball program. He is the third-winningest coach in MSU history, trailing only Jud Heathcote (340) and Benjamin VanAlstyne (232) in total wins. Izzo's 167 wins in his first seven years give him the fifth most by a coach in his first seven seasons of coaching in college basketball history. In his seven seasons of coaching, Izzo has won National Coach of the Year honors three times, including NABC honors in 2001. In 1999, Izzo was named national coach of the year by Basketball Times, while earning similar honors from Associated Press, Basketball News and the USBWA in '98.
Izzo's Two Decades - The 2002-03 season marks Tom Izzo's 20th with the Spartan basketball program. Now in his eighth year as a head coach, Izzo spent 12 years as an assistant under Jud Heathcote.
Illinois Notes
Coach Self - Bill Self (Oklahoma State, '85) is in third season as head coach at Illinois with a record of 68-20. Overall, he is in his 10th season as a college head coach with a record of 197-101, with stops at Oral Roberts (1993-97) and Tulsa (1997-2000).
Spartans Vs. Illini - Illinois leads the all-time series with Michigan State, 47-46. The Spartans, however, own a 29-16 advantage in games played in East Lansing. Michigan State has won six of the last eight games in the series. Tom Izzo is 9-5 vs. Illinois, including 4-2 in East Lansing.
Illini Notes - Illinois ranks fourth in the nation in field-goal percentage defense (37.2 percent as of Jan. 27) ... the Illini lead the Big Ten and rank third in the nation in assists per game (18.56 apg as of Jan. 27) ... Brian Cook leads the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 21.1 points per contest ... Illinois has been ranked in the top 25 for 50 straight weeks.
MSU Basketball Notes
A Critical Pair - Sophomores Alan Anderson and Kelvin Torbert are critical to MSU's success. When both players have strong games, MSU is very tough to beat. In fact, the Spartans are 7-0 in 2002-03 when both Anderson and Torbert score in double figures.
Hill Off The Bench - After starting the first 16 games of the season, Chris Hill has come off the bench in the last three contests. Hill has responded to the change with increased production, averaging 16.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and just 1.0 turnovers. In his first two games off the bench, Hill averaged 20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists, earning Big Ten Player of the Week honors on Jan. 27.
Hitting The Boards - In three of the last four games, Michigan State rebounded like the Spartan championship teams of years past. In games vs. Minnesota, Penn State and Michigan, MSU outrebounded its opponents by a margin of +10.0 boards per game. Most recently, Indiana outrebounded MSU, 19-10, in the first half, before the Spartans outrebounded the Hoosiers, 15-6, in the second half.
Taking Care Of The Ball - After averaging 16.1 turnovers per game through the first 16 contests, Michigan State has done a much better job over the last three games, averaging just 9.0 turnovers. MSU committed a season-low eight vs. Michigan, who had been forcing opponents to commit 15.3 per game.
Three-Point Attacks - Michigan State and Illinois are two of the best three-point shooting teams in the Big Ten, and are also very good at defending it. The Spartans lead the conference in three-point field goal percentage in all games (.387) and conference games (.368). By comparison, Illinois ranks third in three-point field goal percentage in all games (.371) and in conference games (.333). Defensively, Illinois leads the conference in three-point field goal percentage defense in all games (.270) and in Big Ten games (.209), while Michigan State ranks second in conference games (.288) and seventh overall (.330).
Solid Defense - Michigan State leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense in conference games, allowing opponents to shoot just 37.9 percent (130-of-343) from the field. This is even more impressive when you consider that numerous Spartan turnovers in MSU's first four league games led to easy transition baskets for opponents, not allowing MSU's defense to get set in the halfcourt. In their three conference home games, the Spartans are allowing opponents to shoot just 32.7 percent from the field (48-of-147).
Little Things Make A Difference - The reason that turnovers and missed free throws are such a cause for concern is that Michigan State has had a legitimate chance of winning every game this year. The Spartans' eight losses have been by a combined 44 points, an average of 5.5 points per loss. But the games have been even closer than that stat indicates. In each loss MSU has either been ahead or trailed by four points or less with three minutes or less remaining. Against Villanova, the Spartans trailed by one point with three minutes remaining. In the Oklahoma State game, MSU led by six points with 4:47 left and by one point with 1:43 left. Against Toledo, the game was tied in the final minute, while MSU trailed by just one point with less than 20 seconds remaining vs. Oklahoma. Against Iowa, the Spartans had a one-point lead with under two minutes left and had the ball in a tie game with one minute remaining. In the Purdue contest, MSU was down by just three points with 1:13 remaining. Michigan State trailed Minnesota, 69-65, with 1:48 remaining and possession of the ball. Most recently, MSU and Michigan were tied with under two-and-a-half minutes remaining.
Spartans Cold In Big Ten - Michigan State is shooting 40.7 percent (153-of-376) from the field in seven Big Ten contests. This trend, however, is not likely to continue as Michigan State is a good shooting team as shown in the non-conference schedule where the Spartans shot 48.5 percent (293-of-604). MSU has shown improvement over the last three games, shooting 46.5 percent (73-of-157). In the first four Big Ten games, MSU shot just 36.5 percent (80-of-219).
Ager's Impact - Over his last eight games since returning to the Spartan lineup, freshman Maurice Ager is averaging 8.3 points, ranking fourth on the team. In Big Ten games, he is MSU's fourth-leading scorer at 7.7 points per contest. The last two games, however, have been a growing experience as he has been held without a point. Ager missed the first six games of the year with a stress fracture in his right foot and made his regular-season debut in front of 23,145 people against Kentucky in Lexington. He played 14 minutes off the bench and scored five points. Ager adds a perimeter threat as he has already attempted 32 three-pointers in 11 games, ranking second on the team. During a Dec. 25 practice, Ager fainted and underwent two days of tests forcing him to miss the Jacksonville State and Toledo contests. This season, Ager has participated in less than half of MSU's practices.
A Tale Of Two Halves - In Michigan State's Big Ten defeats, turnovers and suspect defense in the first half have created halftime deficits that have been too much to overcome despite second-half surges. In the first half vs. Iowa, the Spartans committed 12 turnovers, while the Hawkeyes shot 51.7 percent (15-of-29) from the field en route to a nine-point halftime lead. In the second half, MSU committed just six turnovers and held Iowa to 34.8 percent (8-of-23) shooting, as the Spartans took a one-point lead with under two minutes left before losing 68-64. Against Purdue, MSU committed nine first-half turnovers as the Boilermakers shot 51.9 percent (13-of-27) en route to a 39-26 halftime lead. In the second half, the Spartans rallied and cut the Purdue lead to three points with 1:13 remaining, as MSU committed just five turnovers and held the Boilermakers to 26.3 percent (5-of-19) shooting from the field. Against Minnesota, the Spartans committed 11 first half turnovers, and although they allowed Minnesota to shoot just 41.9 percent (13-of-31) from the field, the Gophers did connect on 7-of-15 (46.7 percent) three-point field goals. In the second half, MSU committed just six turnovers and held Minnesota to 40.9 percent (9-of-22) shooting, including just 25.0 percent (3-of-12) from three-point range. The trend even continued vs. Michigan, although not as dramatic, as the Wolverines shot 42.3 percent (11-of-26) in the first half, compared to 36.8 percent (7-of-19) in the second. MSU committed five first half turnovers and just three in the second.
Ager Leads Bench Attack - When Maurice Ager is healthy and in the lineup, the Spartans have a much more potent bench. In the 11 games in which Ager has played, MSU's bench is outscoring the opponents' benches by a combined 121 points, an average of +11.0 per game. By comparison, MSU's bench was outscored by 34 points in the eight games that Ager missed, an average of -4.25 per contest.
Rebounding And Defense Key In Victories - Michigan State's defense and rebounding are two keys to its performance. In MSU's 11 wins, the Spartans are holding opponents to 37.0 percent shooting and own a rebound margin of +7.5. In the eight losses, MSU opponents are shooting 43.9 percent, including 36.8 percent from long range. On the boards, the Spartans own a +5.4 advantage in the defeats.
Turnover Margin Critical - With Michigan State committing a large number of turnovers, turnover margin is a key indicator of MSU's chances of victory. The Spartans are 7-1 when committing the same number or fewer turnovers than their opponents. However, they are just 4-7 when committing more turnovers.
It's All About Boardwork - Through 19 games, the Spartans have a +6.6 rebounding margin to lead the Big Ten, outrebounding 14 of their 19 opponents and tying three others. The 2001-02 season marked the fifth-straight year in which Michigan State led the Big Ten in rebound margin, outrebounding its opponents by an average of 7.9 boards per game. In Tom Izzo's tenure as head coach, Michigan State has never ranked worse than second in the Big Ten in rebound margin.
Shooting For Seventy - The 70-point barrier seems to be an important one for Michigan State's offense. The Spartans are 7-2 when scoring 70 points or more, but just 4-6 when failing to reach 70 points.
Torbert's Breakout - Since recovering from ankle surgery that forced him to miss most of MSU's preseason practices, Kelvin Torbert has shown flashes of the skills that made him the national high school player of the year coming out of Flint Northwestern High School. Over the last 11 games, he is MSU's second-leading scorer at 9.7 points per game, while averaging 5.3 rebounds per contest, which also ranks second on the squad. This includes a 12-point, seven-rebound effort vs. Indiana that Coach Izzo called Torbert's best as a Spartan.
Too Many Turnovers - On the season, the Spartans are averaging 14.9 turnovers per game and have a negative turnover margin at -0.6. In two games this year, MSU has committed at least 20 turnovers, including 20 vs. Cleveland State and 21 vs. Jacksonville State. Considering that the Spartans are shooting .455 from the field, it is easy to see that they are costing themselves several points per game, while giving up easy scoring opportunities for opponents in transition.
The Soft Touch - Senior Aloysius Anagonye is among the top field-goal shooters in Michigan State history. Anagonye is shooting .556 for his career (239-of-430), which ranks eighth in MSU history.
Block Party - Senior Aloysius Anagonye ranks third on the MSU career blocked shots list with 79 rejections. Anagonye's teammate, Adam Ballinger, ranks ninth on the career blocks chart with 62.
Spartans Hit Hard By Injuries - Injuries are a part of sports, but they usually don't hit a squad as hard they have attacked the Spartans this season. In fact, Michigan State's Jan. 16 practice marked the first time this season that all 13 scholarship players participated in the same practice, only to see Paul Davis injured in that practice. The Jan. 18 Minnesota game was the first contest in which all 12 non-redshirting scholarship players participated, although Davis' ankle injury limited him to four minutes. Maurice Ager (8), Rashi Johnson (9) and Adam Wolfe (8) have combined to miss 25 games due to injury, while several other Spartans have missed multiple practices throughout the year. While people understand the effect that missing games has on the team, the effect of missed practices is not as easy to comprehend. With a young Spartan team, practices are essential to developing continuity among teammates.
Getting To The Charity Stripe - Last season, Michigan State shot 77.1 percent (442-of-573) from the free throw line, ranking fifth in the nation. The problem was that MSU attempted just 18.5 free throws per game, finishing the year with just 12 more attempts than its opponents. This season, the Spartans are shooting 72.5 percent (325-of-448) and are averaging 23.6 attempts per game. This means the Spartans are scoring nearly three points a game more from the foul line this year.
Not Always Free - Although the Spartans are getting to the free throw line more this year, they are struggling to take advantage of the opportunities. Through the first seven games of the year, Michigan State shot 77.7 percent (122-of-157) to lead the Big Ten Conference. In the last 12 games, MSU has shot 69.8 percent (203-of-291). This includes a 29-of-30 effort vs. Ohio State. If the OSU contest is not included, MSU is shooting 66.7 percent (174-261) over 11 of the last 12 games. In the Spartans' eight defeats, they are shooting 70.2 percent (127-of-181) from the line, compared to 74.2 percent (198-of-267) in the 10 victories.
The Breslin Experience - Although MSU's Big Ten-record 53-game homecourt winning streak was snapped in 2002, the Breslin Center continues to be one of college basketball's great homecourt advantages. Since the start of the 1998-99 season, Michigan State has won 68 of its last 71 regular-season games in Breslin, a winning percentage of .958. Additionally, the Breslin Center has been sold out for 77 consecutive regular-season games.
Looking For A Second Option - Chris Hill is leading Michigan State in scoring at 14.9 points per game. No other Spartans, however, are averaging double-figures. Michigan State has not had just one player average in double figures since the 1955-56 season when Julius McCoy averaged 27.2 points. While Hill is currently the only Spartan in double-figures, several players are contributing to the offensive attack as MSU has eight players averaging at least 5.6 points per game or more this season and four averaging at least 8.2 or more.
One For The Thumb - Last season, Michigan State missed becoming just the second team in Big Ten history to win five straight conference championships, finishing just one game out of first place. This season, however, the Spartans still have a chance to reach elite status by winning a fifth Big Ten crown in a span of six years. Only the Ohio State squads of 1960-64 that captured five championships in a row can claim such an honor.
From Way Downtown - In a year-and-a-half, Chris Hill has established himself as one of the finest shooters in Michigan State history. He currently ranks eighth on the MSU career list with 124 made three-pointers. His career three-point field-goal percentage of .441 ranks fourth in MSU history. This season, Hill is 58-of-133 (.436) from three-point range and 32-of-64 (.500) from inside the arc.
Wolfe's Return - Adam Wolfe appeared in the season opener vs. UNC Asheville in his first action since a Jan. 19, 2002, hamstring injury that left doubt as to whether he would ever play again. Due to inconsistency in his ability to practice in the days following the game, Wolfe underwent further rehabilitation, missing eight straight games. He returned to practice following the holiday break and has played in five of the last six games. Last season, Wolfe averaged 20.9 minutes, 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 17 contests.
Hill Ranks Among Big Ten Leaders - Chris Hill ranks in the top 10 in of six Big Ten statistical categories (all games), including ninth in scoring (14.9 ppg), eighth in assists (4.05 apg), second in steals (1.89 spg), third in three-point field goal percentage (.436), first in three-point field goals made (3.05) and sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.51).
Coaching Consistency - One of the keys to MSU's success is continuity on the coaching staff. The four members of the coaching staff have been at MSU for a combined 43 years. Tom Izzo is in his 20th season as a Spartan, having spent the first 12 as an assistant. Associate head coach Brian Gregory is in his 10th year at MSU and fourth year in his current stint. Mike Garland is a college teammate of Izzo's and has been an assistant for seven of Izzo's eight years as head coach. Mark Montgomery is in his second season as an assistant, after four years (1988-92) as MSU's point guard.
Ranked Opponents - Five Spartan opponents are ranked in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll released on Jan. 27, including No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 7 Kentucky, No. 11 Oklahoma State, No. 14 Illinois and No. 20 Indiana. In The Associated Press Top 25 released on Jan. 27, six opponents including No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 7 Kentucky, No. 9 Oklahoma State, No. 13 Illinois, No. 19 Indiana and No. 24 Syracuse are ranked.
Air Time - Over the last four years, Michigan State has averaged over 29 television broadcasts per year, including more than 21 per year on national television networks. In 2002-03, MSU will have 24 regular-season games televised (not including postseason). Of those 24, 16 could be broadcast by national networks, including eight on ESPN, three on ESPN2 and five more on CBS.
Home To Mr. Basketball - The last four recipients of Michigan's Mr. Basketball Award, presented to the top high school player in the state, have all gone on to wear a Spartan jersey. Jason Richardson (Saginaw Arthur Hill HS) won the award in 1999, followed by Marcus Taylor (Lansing Waverly HS) in 2000, Kelvin Torbert (Flint Northwestern HS) in 2001 and Paul Davis (Rochester HS) in 2002.
Hill Is Most Recent Wooden Nominee - Chris Hill is one of this year's 50 John R. Wooden Award Preseason All-Americans. He is just the latest Spartan to be nominated for the prestigious award. Last season, Marcus Taylor was a preseason honoree. In 2000-01, both Charlie Bell and Andre Hutson were preseason nominees while Bell and Jason Richardson were among the 20 finalists. At season's end, Bell was named a Wooden All-American. During the 1999-2000 season, Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson were both recognized as Wooden All-Americans, an honor that Cleaves also received in 1999.
The Golden Arches - Michigan State is becoming the home for McDonald's All-Americans. Over the past four seasons, five McDonald's All-Americans have joined the Spartan squad, including Jason Richardson in 1999, Marcus Taylor and McDonald's All-American All-Star game MVP Zach Randolph in 2000, Kelvin Torbert in 2001 and Paul Davis in 2002.
Spartans In The NBA - Michigan State led the Big Ten with eight players on opening day rosters in the NBA. Listed below is an update on eight former Spartans currently on NBA rosters: (Stats current through Jan. 26.)
Mateen Cleaves (Sacramento): 7 GP, 4.3 mpg, 1.0 ppg, 1.0 apg, Jamie Feick (New Jersey): 0 GP, currently on injured list Morris Peterson (Toronto): 44 GP, 37.7 mpg, 15.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg Zach Randolph (Portland): 40 GP, 15.6 mpg, 7.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg Jason Richardson (Golden State): 43 GP, 32.9 mpg, 15.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg Steve Smith (San Antonio): 33 GP, 23.2 mpg, 8.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.5 apg Eric Snow (Philadelphia): 44 GP, 38.4 mpg, 12.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.6 apg Kevin Willis (San Antonio): 36 GP, 11.3 mpg, 4.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Spartans Keep Reloading - Michigan State signed three players to National Letters of Intent in the early signing period. The class is a consensus top-five class, including a No. 4 ranking from recruiting analyst Dave Telep.
Shannon Brown (G, 6-3, 190, Maywood, Ill./Proviso East) is the consensus pick as the No. 1 shooting guard in the nation. As a junior, he averaged 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals en route to earning first-team all-state honors. Overall, Dave Telep and Bob Gibbons have him ranked as the No. 9 player in the nation.
Brandon Cotton (G, 6-0, 170, Detroit/DePorres) averaged 28.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals as a junior. He earned Class C All-State and All-Detroit honors from both the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News. Cotton is ranked the No. 17 player in the nation and No. 3 point guard in the country by PrepStars.com. Cotton led DePorres to a 17-4 record and a Catholic AA Division title.
Drew Naymick (C, 6-10, 235, Muskegon/North Muskegon) averaged 21.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 6.4 blocks as a junior, earning Class C All-State honors. He also shot a remarkable 70.6 percent from the field. Over the summer, he gained significant national experience while playing at the 2002 USA Basketball Men's Youth Development Festival (with Brown and Cotton) and participating at the Nike Camp where he was named to Dave Telep's All-Nike Camp team.
