Men's Basketball To Play Star-Studded Non-Conference Schedule
6/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 16, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
2003-04 Michigan State Non-Conference Schedule
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Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo has made a habit of playing some of the most-difficult schedules in the nation during his years as the Spartan head coach. The 2003-04 non-conference schedule is by far the most impressive one that MSU has played and should rank favorably among the all-time most difficult schedules in college basketball history. MSU's non-conference opponents have combined to win 24 national championships, appear in 65 Final Fours, win seven conference championships in 2003 (four regular-season and three tournaments) and feature six of the 11 winningest programs in college basketball history. Prior to this year's Michigan State schedule, no team has ever played Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and UCLA during the same regular season.
Although the Big Ten has not released its schedule, Big Ten opponents will combine with the non-conference opponents to produce some impressive statistics. Once finalized, MSU's 2003-04 schedule will feature 32 NCAA Championships, 101 Final Four appearances, 406 NCAA Tournament appearances, seven of the 11 all-time winningest programs, four of the top five schools with the most NCAA Championships, five of the six all-time winningest Final Four programs, nine 2003 conference championships (five regular-season and four tournaments) and 14 2003 postseason teams (10 NCAA Tournament and four NIT).
Combined, Michigan State and its opponents are regulars in the Final Four and the NCAA Championship game. Either Michigan State or at least one of its opponents has appeared in 18 straight NCAA Championship games (since 1986). In 15 of the 65 Final Fours, MSU and its 2003-04 opponents were both championship game participants. In addition to having all four teams from the 1979 Final Four, MSU and its opponents have made up three of the teams in 10 more Final Fours and two of the teams in 24 additional Final Fours, while having no representative in just six of the 65 Final Fours. Overall, Michigan State and its 2003-04 opponents have combined to account for 41 percent of all Final Four participants.
"I believe that this is one of the very best college basketball schedules," said MSU head coach Tom Izzo. "It's always been one of my goals to play the best teams available and our schedule in recent years has proven that. It's a schedule that is beneficial to a lot of different people. The program and players will both receive some excellent exposure and will get to test themselves against the best teams in the nation. At the same time, Michigan State University will get a lot of nationwide exposure.
"The schedule is sure to have its share of challenges, but it's my hope and belief that the challenges of the early season can pay off in the post-season. There may be some bumps, but even those can be beneficial."
The Spartan non-conference schedule contains a nice balance of home contests, road tests and neutral-site games in the Detroit area, home to the largest base of Michigan State alumni and students. The Breslin Center, home to 83 consecutive sellouts, will see six regular-season non-conference games, highlighted by Duke University's first trip to East Lansing and the Coca-Cola Classic, which will feature all four teams from the 1979 Final Four. Izzo's Spartans will also venture into hostile territories, playing on the home courts of both teams from the 2003 NCAA Championship game (Kansas and Syracuse), and traveling to UCLA to play a Bruins squad with the most championships in NCAA history. Finally, Michigan State will play two neutral site games in the Detroit area, battling Oklahoma at The Palace of Auburn Hills and hosting Kentucky at Ford Field.
"One of the nice things about the schedule is that we've covered all the bases," explained Izzo. "We will play challenging games at home, on the road and at neutral sites. It's a balance that gives us the best chance to be successful as the season progresses. Our season-ticket holders at the Breslin Center will be treated to some special games. With three difficult road games in hostile arenas, we'll be well tested for our Big Ten road trips. And with two games in Detroit, we'll be able to take Spartan basketball to a different group of loyal Michigan State supporters. In addition, with a game at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse and at The Palace of Auburn Hills we'll get some experience in domes and larger arenas that we'll see in the postseason."
Michigan State opens the regular season on Friday, Nov. 21 at the Breslin Center against Bucknell (7 p.m.). The following Tuesday (Nov. 25), the Spartans will experience their first road test of the year, venturing into historic Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan., to face the 2003 National Runner-Up Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas, the 2003 Big 12 Champions, is the third-winningest program in NCAA history with 1,801 wins and has appeared in 12 Final Fours (fifth most in NCAA history) and 32 NCAA Tournaments (tied for fourth most in NCAA history). The Jayhawks will be coached by first-year coach Bill Self, who left Illinois in April, and led on the court by junior Keith Langford, who was named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team. The game will be televised by ESPN and start at 9 p.m.
The Spartans return from Kansas to host the Coca-Cola Classic. This year's classic has some added interest as it will feature all four teams from the 1979 Final Four, in a 25th anniversary tournament. The tournament opens on Saturday, Nov. 30 with Michigan State playing Indiana State at 2 p.m., while Pennsylvania plays DePaul at 4:00 p.m. These first round matchups ensure a rematch of the 1979 NCAA Championship game between the Spartans and Sycamores. The 1979 game, featuring the first of many epic battles between Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird, is still the highest-rated game in college basketball history, earning a 24.1 rating and a 38 share. On Sunday, the consolation game will be at 2 p.m., followed by the championship game at 4 p.m.
"During my time as head coach, I've made it a priority to build tradition within the Michigan State basketball program," said Izzo. "This tournament is a great opportunity to honor the first national championship team in the program's history, led by one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. I'm sure it's an event that will excite our fans. It will be a special moment for members of the 1979 Championship team and I know our current players are looking forward to being surrounded by past Spartan champions."
After an emotional weekend celebrating Michigan State history, the Spartans return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 3 when the Duke Blue Devils make their first trip to the Breslin Center. The game is scheduled as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Spartans and Blue Devils have met four times on the hardwood, but all four meetings have been on a neutral court. The two teams most recently met in the 1999 Final Four, with Duke winning 68-62. Duke is the fourth-winningest program in NCAA history with 1,706 wins. In addition, the Blue Devils have appeared in 13 Final Fours (tied for third most in NCAA history), 27 NCAA Tournaments (tied for eighth most in NCAA history) and have won three National Championships (tied for fourth most in NCAA history). Duke and Michigan State are also two of just three teams undefeated in ACC/Big Ten Challenge history. The game will be televised by ESPN and start at 9 p.m.
Duke becomes the latest college basketball power to venture into the Breslin Center. Consider the following teams that have played in East Lansing during Tom Izzo's tenure as head coach: Arizona, Connecticut, Duke, Florida, Louisville, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Seton Hall, Syracuse and Virginia.
"Playing Duke in the Breslin Center provides a marquee event for our home fans," said Izzo. "It's important to me to bring the best teams into the Breslin Center for our fans that have been so supportive. There is no question that Duke may be the elite of the elite programs. Its run in the 90s that continues today is surpassed only by the great UCLA dynasty."
The next game will feature the first of two trips into the Detroit area for the Spartans as Michigan State will play Oklahoma in the "Spartan Great Lakes Classic" at The Palace of Auburn Hills, home to the NBA's Detroit Pistons, on Saturday, Dec. 6. The "Spartan Great Lakes Classic" is presented by ESPN. The Sooners won the Big 12 Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 2003. The Spartans and Sooners have split a pair of games over the last two seasons. Michigan State is 4-1 all-time at The Palace, including winning two games in the Midwest Regional of the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Most recently, Michigan State defeated Bowling Green, 85-69, on Dec. 27, 2000, in front of a sellout-crowd of 22,076. The game will be televised by ESPN and start at 12 p.m.
Following the Oklahoma game, the Spartans will take their semester exams before returning to action against Kentucky in "The BasketBowl - Hoops On the 50". The Spartans and Wildcats will do battle on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Ford Field, home of the NFL's Detroit Lions. With an estimated crowd of more than 75,000, MSU and UK will establish a new world record for basketball attendance, breaking a mark set during a 1951 Harlem Globetrotters exhibition game. The NCAA record is 68,112, established by Louisiana State and Notre Dame on Jan. 20, 1990 in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Kentucky is the NCAA's all-time winningest program with 1,849 wins. In addition, the Wildcats have won seven national championships (second most in NCAA history), appeared in 13 Final Fours (tied for third most in NCAA history) and 45 NCAA Tournaments (NCAA record). "The BasketBowl" will be televised nationally by CBS and start at 4 p.m.
"This will be an important stretch for our program with back-to-back-to-back games against top-caliber teams, but we'll also have to keep things in proper perspective," explained Izzo. "Obviously, we hope to win all three, but if that happens it won't mean that we are world-beaters. On the other hand, a couple of losses won't be the end of the world. What the three games provide is a great opportunity in early December to see how our team stacks up against some of the nation's best."
Michigan State hosts South Florida on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Breslin Center. Last season, the Spartans defeated the Bulls, 65-56, in East Lansing.
The Spartans will then embark on their longest road trip of the season, traveling to Los Angeles, Calif., to play at UCLA in the famed Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins are one of the elite programs in college basketball history, ranking first with 11 NCAA Championships, including seven in a row between 1967-1973. The Bruins are the 11th-winningest program in NCAA history with 1,520 wins and are tied for first with 15 Final Four appearances, while ranking second with 38 NCAA Tournament appearances. Although the Bruins struggled last season, they had appeared in 14 consecutive NCAA Tournaments and six of the last seven Sweet Sixteens prior to the 2002-03 season. The game and broadcast network will be announced at a later date.
After a layoff for the holidays, Michigan State will host Coppin State on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Breslin Center. The final non-conference game of the regular season will be a road game for Michigan State as the Spartans travel to Syracuse, N.Y., to play the defending national champion Syracuse Orangemen on Saturday, Jan. 3. Although Final Four Most Outstanding Player Carmelo Anthony has moved on to the NBA, forward Hakim Warrick and guard Gerry McNamara, both selections to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team, return to lead the Orangemen. With 1,602 wins, Syracuse is the seventh-winningest program in NCAA history. Co-regular-season champions of the Big East Conference in 2003, Syracuse has appeared in 28 NCAA Tournaments to rank seventh all-time. Last season, SU defeated MSU, 76-75, in a thrilling game that saw Spartan guard Chris Hill establish a school and Big Ten record with 10 three-point field goals made. The game will be broadcast by CBS and start at 12 p.m. It will also mark the fourth time in six years that Michigan State will have played the defending national champion.
"Playing difficult teams in the non-conference schedule gives us a different perspective than what we'll see in the Big Ten season," said Izzo. "In Syracuse, we'll have the chance to play in a dome against a well-coached team playing a style of basketball that differs from a lot of teams. That offers us a lot of different things that will be extremely beneficial as the season progresses."
Prior to the start of the season, Michigan State will play two exhibition games. The first game will be on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. against the Magic Johnson All-Stars. This will be the third-straight year that Johnson has brought an exhibition team to the Breslin Center. The second game will be Thursday, Nov. 13 against Nike Elite at 7 p.m.
2003-04 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE QUICK FACTS
2003 Conference Champions: 6 (Duke - ACC Tournament; Kansas - Big 12 regular-season; Kentucky - SEC regular-season and tournament; Oklahoma - Big 12 Tournament; Syracuse - Big East regular-season; Pennsylvania - Ivy League regular-season)
2003 Postseason Appearances: NCAA - 6 (Syracuse - National Champion; Kansas - National Runner-up; Kentucky - Elite Eight; Oklahoma - Elite Eight; Duke - Sweet Sixteen; Pennsylvania - First Round). NIT - 1 (DePaul)
NCAA Final Fours: 65 (UCLA - 15; Duke - 13; Kentucky - 13; Kansas - 12; Oklahoma - 4; Syracuse - 4; DePaul - 2; Indiana State - 1; Pennsylvania - 1)
National Championships: 24 (UCLA - 11; Kentucky - 7; Duke - 3; Kansas - 2; Syracuse - 1)
All-Time Wins: 1) Kentucky - 1849; 3) Kansas - 1801; 4) Duke - 1706; 7) Syracuse - 1602; 8) Pennsylvania - 1555; 11) UCLA - 1520
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 243 (Kentucky - 45 (1st all-time); UCLA - 38 (2nd all-time); Kansas - 32 (tied-4th all-time); Syracuse - 28 (7th all-time); Duke - 27 (tied-8th all-time); Oklahoma - 22; DePaul - 21; Pennsylvania - 20; Coppin State - 3; Indiana State - 3; Bucknell - 2; South Florida - 2)
Final Four Wins: 1) UCLA - 25; 2) Kentucky - 17; 3) Duke - 14; 6) Kansas - 9
Did You Know?
* No team has ever played Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and UCLA (5 of the 11 winningest programs of all-time) during the same regular-season.
* MSU's non-conference opponents had a 63.8 percent winning percentage last season (240-139).
Note: Quick facts include non-conference opponents only. It should be noted that if Big Ten opponents are included, MSU opponents would combine to have 101 Final Four appearances, 32 National Championships, 406 NCAA Tournament appearances, seven of the 11 all-time winningest programs, five of the six all-time winningest Final Four teams, eight 2003 conference champions and 14 2003 postseason teams (10 NCAA Tournament and four NIT).
