Spartans Back At Home Against Wisconsin
2/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 21, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
#6/5 Michigan State (20-5, 10-3)
vs. Wisconsin (17-9, 8-6)
February 22, 2009
3 p.m. EST
East Lansing, Mich.
Breslin Center
Radio: Spartan Sports Network - Will Tieman (Play by Play), Gus Ganakas and Matt Steigenga (Color), Adam Ruff (Host) Flagship - WJIM 1240 AM/WMMQ 94.9 FM
TV: ESPN - Dave O'Brien (Play by Play), Steve Lavin (Color)
Listen To Spartan Sports Podcasts
Coach Izzo | Raymar Morgan | Goran Suton
The Opening Tip
Michigan State looks to begin a new winning streak as it hosts Wisconsin. This is the only meeting of the year between the Spartans and Badgers and marks the 13th time in the last 14 games that at least one team has been ranked. Michigan State will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of its 1979 NCAA Championship team in a halftime ceremony.
The Starting Five
1. A Resilient Group of Spartans
Michigan State has not lost consecutive games this season, bouncing back in strong fashion from every previous defeat. After its four previous defeats, MSU has out-scored opponents by an average of 80.8-63.0, shooting 50.2 percent from the field and holding opponents to 39.4 percent shooting. The Spartans are also shooting 46.8 percent from 3-point range and out-rebounding opponents by a +11.8 margin. Durrell Summers is averaging a team-best 15.5 points after defeats.
2. Beating The Best
According to the ESPN.com InsideRPI Daily (Feb. 20), Michigan State is 9-2 against the RPI top 50, tied with Connecticut for most wins against the top 50. Oklahoma and Pittsburgh have eight, while seven schools have six. The Spartans are ranked No. 6 in the RPI, and their strength of schedule is ranked No. 8.
3. Defending The Three
Michigan State leads the Big Ten in 3-point field-goal percentage defense in league contests, allowing opponents to hit just 30.4 percent of their shots from behind the arc. Over the last four games, opponents have made just 21.6 percent of their 3-pointers (16-of-74).
4. Roe's Recovery
Despite undergoing two knee surgeries since December 2007, including microfracture surgery last December, Delvon Roe is showing flashes of the skills that had him ranked among the elite high school players in his class nationally. In the fall, Coach Izzo explained that it might be February before Roe could really start to produce on a more consistent basis. Prior to the month of February, he was averaging 5.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 16.5 minutes. In five February games, he is averaging 7.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 21.4 minutes. He recorded his first career double-double at Michigan (14 points, 10 rebounds) and was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Feb. 16.
5. Morgan Battles Illness
For nearly a month, Raymar Morgan has been battling walking pneumonia/mild form of mononucleosis, limiting his playing time and production. He returned to action against Purdue, scoring three points in 14 minutes. Before that, he missed three games after playing limited minutes in the prior four. A healthy Morgan is a key to MSU's long-range hopes, as he was averaging 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 27.1 minutes prior to the Illinois contest, leading the Spartans in scoring and shooting 60.0 percent from the field. MSU is 15-2 with Morgan in the starting lineup.
MSU vs. Wisconsin Notes
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Wisconsin, 66-58, including a 41-14 advantage in games played in East Lansing. The Spartans have won three straight games at the Breslin Center.
Coach Ryan
Bo Ryan (Wilkes, `69) is 573-172 in his 25th season as a collegiate head coach, including 190-69 in his eighth year at Wisconsin. Prior to his arrival in Madison, Ryan coached at UW-Milwaukee for two years (1999-2001) and at UW-Platteville for 15 seasons (1984-99), winning four Division III National Championships.
The Last Meeting In East Lansing
Michigan State defeated No. 1 Wisconsin, 64-55, on Feb. 20, 2007, in East Lansing. The win was MSU's first ever at home against the No. 1 team in The Associated Press poll. MSU trailed 49-45 with 7:08 remaining, but Drew Neitzel scored 11 straight points for the Spartans in 2:12 to give MSU a 56-51 lead. Michigan State out-scored Wisconsin, 19-6, over the final 4:37. Neitzel led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 6-of-11 from 3-point range. Travis Walton recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. For the game, MSU held a 41-24 advantage on the glass.
The Last Meeting
Wisconsin rallied to defeat Michigan State, 65-63, on March 15, 2008, in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals in Indianapolis. MSU held a 53-41 lead with 8:15 remaining, but UW closed the game on a 24-10 run, including a 13-2 spurt from the 7:53 mark to the 4:34 mark that cut MSU's lead to 55-54. Wisconsin shot 26-of-37 at the foul line, while MSU was just 14-of-19 as four Spartans (Raymar Morgan, Idong Ibok, Goran Suton and Drew Naymick) fouled out of the game. Drew Neitzel led the Spartans with 26 points and Kalin Lucas added 18, while Brian Butch paced the Badgers with 19. Michigan State held Wisconsin to just 37.0 percent shooting from the field, including just 26.1 percent in the first half.
Badger Notes
Wisconsin's game against Michigan State will mark the 11th game against a ranked opponent this season for the Badgers, a total which leads the nation ... The Badgers rank fourth in the nation, averaging just 10.2 turnovers per contest ... During UW's current five-game winning streak, the Badgers are allowing just 49.4 points per game ... Wisconsin has owned a lead in the final 3:00 of regulation in five of their last seven losses ... The Badgers rank 10th in the conference in field-goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to hit 43.7 percent of their shots.
Game 25 Notes - Purdue 72 - Michigan State 54
* Michigan State shot a season-low 32.7 percent from the field and tied a season-low with 54 points.
* In the first half, Michigan State committed nine turnovers, compared to 10 for Purdue, but in the second half, the Spartans committed 13, compared to just three for the Boilermakers.
* MSU tied a season high with 22 turnovers, while recording a season-low eight assits.
* Kalin Lucas scored 10 of his 14 points from the foul line, attempting a season-high 12 free throws.
* Michigan State grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, but were able to score just seven second-chance points.
MSU Basketball Notes
MSU's Wisconsin Connection
Michigan State freshman guard Korie Lucious hails from the Badger state, where he was a Division I WBCA All-state honoree as a senior at Pius XI high school in Milwaukee, averaging 21.6 points and 6.0 assists. This season, he has been a valuable reserve guard for the Spartans, averaging 2.7 points, 1.6 assists and 9.3 minutes per game. Over the last four games, Lucious is averaging 4.0 points and 13.0 minutes. He dished out 11 assists against Alcorn State in December, the most for any Spartan this season.
MSU's Home-Court Advantage
Since the Breslin Center opened for the 1989-90 season, Michigan State has posted a 264-39 (.871) home record, including 167-15 (.918) in the last 12 seasons.
Glass Cleaner
Goran Suton leads the Big Ten in rebounding in conference games (8.6 rpg) and ranks second overall (7.7 rpg). In conference play, Suton has recorded double-figure boards against Minnesota (12), Penn State (14), Northwestern (14) and Iowa (11). In league action, he leads the league in offensive rebounds (3.15 orpg) and ranks third in defensive boards (5.46 drpg). His efforts are a large reason MSU owns an impressive +11.6 rebounding margin in league games. With 765 rebounds for his career, Goran Suton ranks ninth in MSU history, 38 behind Lindsay Hairston (803) in eighth place.
It's All About Boardwork
Michigan State ranks second in the nation in rebound margin at +9.9 (as of Feb. 20). MSU has led the Big Ten in rebounding margin in nine of the last 11 years. This season, the Spartans are 18-4 when out-rebounding their opponent. MSU has out-rebounded 15 straight opponents. It's a group effort for MSU, as six different players have led the team or shared the team lead in rebounding in a single game. In Big Ten play, the Spartans own a +11.6 rebounding margin.
MSU's Defensive Stopper
Travis Walton is asserting himself as the best defender in the Big Ten. A two-time All-Big Ten Defensive Team member, he plays a solid defense that, while occasionally resulting in a steal, will hardly ever allow a perimeter player an open look. Consider some of the following games by the players he has guarded: A.J. Abrams (Texas) 8 points - 3-10 FG, 0-4 3FG; Jon Diebler (Ohio State) 7 points - 2-8 FG, 1-6 3FG; Sherron Collins (Kansas) 6-14 FG, 2-8 3FG, 8 turnovers; Jake Kelly (Iowa) 6 points, 3-6 FG, 5 turnovers; Trent Meacham and Demetri McCamey (Illinois) 6 combined points, 1-16 FG, 1-14 3FG; Craig Moore (Northwestern) 11 points, 3-11 FG, 2-10 3FG; Lawrence Westbrook (Minnesota) 6 points, 2-7 FG; Devan Dumes (Indiana) 5 points, 2-5 FG; Manny Harris (Michigan) 7 points 2-10 FG, 1-6 3FG. Against the Illini, Walton added three steals, including two big strips in the second half, while tallying four steals against Minnesota. In league games, he ranks fifth in the conference in steals at 1.54 spg.
Working On The Defense
In the first six games of the year, MSU's defense allowed opponents to score 72.5 points on 44.7 percent shooting. In the last 19 games, the Spartans are allowing just 61.1 points on 40.6 percent shooting, including just 30.4 percent from 3-point range.
Lucas Dials Up His Scoring
Kalin Lucas has established himself as a top contender for Big Ten Player of the Year honors. He has ranked among the league and national leaders in assists all season, but he's recently elevated his scoring. Over the last 14 games, Lucas is averaging 17.4 points, ranking tied for second in the Big Ten in scoring in conference games at 17.1 ppg. During the last 14 games, he is averaging 6.4 free-throw attempts per game, shooting 86.7 percent from the foul line.
70 Is The Magic Number
The 70-point mark is an important number for Michigan State's success, both offensively and defensively. The Spartans are 15-0 when scoring 70 or more points, but just 5-5 when scoring fewer than 70. Defensively, MSU is 18-0 when allowing fewer than 70 points, but 2-5 when allowing more than 70.
The Turnover Story
Michigan State is 12-1 when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent, and 3-0 when turnovers are equal, but just 5-4 when committing more. The Spartans are 14-1 when committing fewer than 15 turnovers, but just 6-4 when committing 15 or more. In their wins, the Spartans average just 13.1 turnovers per game, compared to 17.8 turnovers in losses. Last season, the Spartans averaged 13.6 turnovers, which was the lowest average of the Tom Izzo era.
Hitting The Offensive Glass
Michigan State leads the Big Ten in offensive rebounds, grabbing 14.24 per game. The Spartans are grabbing 41.2 percent of their missed shots, collecting 356 offensive rebounds compared to 508 defensive boards for the opponent. In three games this season (Wichita State, Minnesota, Northwestern), MSU has grabbed more offensive boards than the opponent has grabbed defensive rebounds. In Big Ten play, MSU has totaled 194 offensive rebounds compared to 248 defensive boards for the opponents, averaging 14.92 offensive boards per game. The 23 offensive rebounds MSU collected at Minnesota were the most by a Spartan team against a Big Ten opponent since 1998.
Michigan State's Balanced Attack
Through the first 25 games, Michigan State has proven to have great depth. Eight Spartans average 11.5 minutes or more, while 10 average 9.1 minutes or more, although Kalin Lucas is the only player to average more than 29. Two players average double figures in scoring, while three more Spartans average 9.2 points or better for the highest scoring team in the Big Ten. Seven different players have led MSU in scoring in a single game this season. On the boards, three Spartans average 5.4 boards per contest, as MSU paces the league in rebounding margin.
MSU's Detroit Duo
Spartan sophomores Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers have been playing with each other since middle school and were AAU teammates in the Detroit area. Over the last seven games, they have combined to average 30.6 points as Lucas is averaging 16.6 and Summers is averaging 14.0 points per game. Lucas ranks tied for second in the Big Ten in scoring in league games at 17.1 ppg. Summers has elevated his play over the last eight games, averaging 13.6 points and shooting 48.8 percent from the field (40-of-82).
Juggling The Lineup
Due to injuries to Goran Suton and Delvon Roe early in the year, and Raymar Morgan's illness as of late, Michigan State has used 12 different starting lineups this season, including nine in the first 12 games. Ten different Spartans have started a game this season. The Spartans are a perfect 5-0 when Morgan, Roe and Suton are all in the starting lineup.
Suton's Presence
After missing six straight games with a left knee injury in November and December, Goran Suton has appeared in the last 17 games, averaging 10.3 points and 7.9 boards in 26.3 minutes. Suton injured his knee in the second game of the season against IPFW on Nov. 19. After his knee did not respond to rest, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on Dec. 4. His first full practice came on Monday, Dec. 15. He returned to action against The Citadel on Dec. 17, scoring four points and grabbing five rebounds in 17 minutes. In a win over No. 5 Texas, Suton played 26 minutes off the bench, scoring a team-best 18 points. Against Oakland, Suton led MSU in both scoring (16 points) and rebounding (9 rebounds). He posted a double-double against Minnesota (11 pts., 12 reb.), Penn State (13 pts., 14 reb.) and Northwestern (15 pts., 14 reb.). MSU is 16-2 with Suton in the lineup.
Life Away From Home
Michigan State is a league-best 6-1 in league road games after winning its first six conference road games for the first time since joining the Big Ten in 1950-51. Prior to this season, the Spartans had never won their first four league road games. MSU is 7-1 in true road games, winning at No. 21 Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan and IPFW. The Spartans have also played six neutral site games, the most by a Michigan State squad in the regular season since the 2005-06 season. MSU is 11-3 away from the Breslin Center. Only Niagara (13) and Connecticut (12) have more wins away from home, while three other schools have 11. MSU played nine of its first 13 games away from home.
MSU's Sixth Man
Chris Allen has been Michigan State's sixth man for most of the season. He has come off the bench in 20 of the Spartans' 25 games, and has been the first sub off the bench in 13 of the last 17 games in which he's come off the bench. Allen has also elevated his play as of late, averaging 10.0 points over the last five games, shooting 50.0 percent from the field, including 44.4 percent (8-of-18) from 3-point range.
20-Win Seasons
With a win at Michigan, Michigan State recorded its 10th 20-win season in the last 12 years, all under head coach Tom Izzo. Of the 18 20-win seasons in Spartan history, Izzo has been involved in 15 of them, 10 as a head coach and five as an assistant.
The Free Throw Story
Traditionally a strong free-throw shooting team, Michigan State is shooting just .687 from the charity stripe. MSU is averaging 23.3 free-throw attempts per game, compared to just 18.0 attempts for Spartan opponents. In league play, the Spartans are shooting better, connecting on 71.6 percent of their attempts, ranking fifth in the league.
Lending A Helping Hand
Michigan State is recording an assist on 63.1 percent of its baskets (412-of-653). The Spartans average 16.48 assists per game, ranking second in the Big Ten, and 13th in the nation. Against Alcorn State, MSU established a new school record with 35 assists. Individually, Kalin Lucas ranks fifth in the conference with 4.68 assists per contest, while freshman Korie Lucious dished out 11 against Alcorn State, the most by any Spartan this season.
Morgan Reaches 1,000
With eight points against Oakland, Raymar Morgan became the 38th player in MSU history to score 1,000 career points. Now at 1,093 points for his career, he ranks 34th on the MSU all-time scoring chart. He needs seven points to pass Bill Kilgore for 33rd place (1,099 points) and 17 points to pass Al Ferrari for 32nd place.
Bench Scoring
Michigan State's bench has out-scored the opponent's bench in 17 of 25 games this season. The Spartan reserves have out-scored the opponent subs, 656-443, an average of 26.2-17.7.
Lucas Dishes It Out
Kalin Lucas ranks second in the Big Ten with a 2.49-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, while ranking fifth in the conference at 4.68 helpers per contest. As of Feb. 20, he ranks 23rd in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. Lucas has recorded one or no turnovers in 15 of 25 games. Against Oklahoma State, Lucas recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and a career-best 10 assists. As a freshman, Lucas ranked fifth in the Big Ten in assists (3.81 apg) and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.88), while his 137 assists were the fourth most ever by a Spartan freshman.
Spartans Hit The Mark
After leading the Big Ten in field-goal percentage for the last five seasons, the Spartans are taking aim at a sixth straight statistical crown. Michigan State currently ranks third in the league in field-goal percentage (.460). Individually, Raymar Morgan ranks second in the conference, connecting on 56.9 percent of his shots.
Lucas Earns Wooden Midseason Honors
Kalin Lucas is one of the top 30 midseason candidates for the John R. Wooden Award, as selected by the Los Angeles Athletic Club's John R. Wooden Award Committee. Lucas is one of nine players who were not on the 50-name preseason list. He is also one of just two Big Ten players to appear on the list, as he is joined by Michigan's Manny Harris. Approximately 20 players will make the national ballot in early March. More than 1,000 voters, comprised of sports media members and college basketball experts from across the nation, will then cast their votes to determine both the 10-member All American Team and Player of the Year. In late March, the 10-player Wooden Award All American Team will be announced.
Spartans Earn Player of the Week Honors
Kalin Lucas was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Jan. 12 after averaging 21.0 points in a pair of Spartan victories over Ohio State and defending national champion Kansas. In addition, Lucas was named National Player of the Week by ESPN.com's Andy Katz. Raymar Morgan was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Jan. 5 after averaging 16.0 points and 11.5 rebounds in a pair of Spartan road victories at No. 21 Minnesota and at Northwestern. Most recently, Delvon Roe was honored on Feb. 16 after a double-double at Michigan.
An Impressive Streak
Michigan State made its 11th straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008. It is the longest current streak among Big Ten schools and fifth longest in the nation. Only Arizona (24), Kansas (19), Kentucky (17) and Duke (13) have longer current streaks. It is also the second-longest streak in Big Ten history. Indiana appeared in 18 consecutive tournaments between 1986 and 2003.
Spartans In The NBA
Seven former Spartans are currently on NBA rosters, including Maurice Ager (New Jersey Nets), Charlie Bell (Milwaukee Bucks), Shannon Brown (Los Angeles Lakers), Morris Peterson (New Orleans Hornets), Zach Randolph (Los Angeles Clippers), Jason Richardson (Phoenix Suns) and Eric Snow (Cleveland Cavaliers).
The Book On Tom Izzo
Coach Izzo
In his 14th year, Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan, '77) is 325-135 (.707), and 155-72 (.683) in the Big Ten, as the coach of the Michigan State basketball program. In 2005, he passed Benjamin Van Alstyne to become the second-winningest coach in MSU history, trailing only Jud Heathcote (340) in total wins. In his 14 seasons as a head coach, Izzo has won National Coach of the Year honors four times, including the Clair Bee Award in 2005 and NABC honors in 2001. In 1999, Izzo was named National Coach of the year by Basketball Times, while earning similar honors from The Associated Press, Basketball News and the USBWA in '98.
Among The Big Ten's Best
Tom Izzo's .683 winning percentage in Big Ten games ranks third all-time among league coaches with at least 10 years of service, behind former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700) and Purdue's Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Knight ranks first at .734, followed by Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), Lambert (.709) and Izzo (.707). With 155 conference victories, Izzo ranks 10th all-time.
Izzo Against Ranked Opponents
In his 14 years of coaching, Tom Izzo is 68-66 against ranked opponents.
Izzo Among Best Ever
Through his first 13 seasons, Tom Izzo won 305 games, ranking seventh in college basketball history for most wins by a college coach in his first 13 years.
Graduating Student-Athletes
In Tom Izzo's 13 full years directing the Spartan program, 83 percent of his players who completed their eligibility also left with a degree. In the last nine years, 29 Spartans have received their undergraduate degrees, including five each in 2001, 2003 and 2007.
Izzo's Coaching Tree
Five current Division I head coaches all served as assistants to Tom Izzo, including Jim Boylen (Utah), Tom Crean (Indiana), Brian Gregory (Dayton), Stan Heath (South Florida) and Doug Wojcik (Tulsa). Gregory is in his sixth year as head coach, after leaving MSU in the spring of 2003. Crean directed Marquette to the 2003 Final Four, while Heath directed Kent State to the Elite Eight in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. Wojcik is in his fourth season at Tulsa. Mike Garland served as head coach at Cleveland State for three seasons after leaving Izzo's staff in 2003. He is now back as an assistant coach at MSU. Most recently, Jim Boylen left MSU following the 2007 season, and is in his second season with Utah. Stan Joplin, an assistant during Izzo's first season, spent 12 seasons as head coach at Toledo.
Home Sweet Home
During Tom Izzo's career as head coach, the Spartans are 189-24 (.887) at home, including 166-15 (.917) since the start of the 1997-98 season.
Coaches Vs. Cancer
During the 2007-08 season, Tom and Lupe Izzo launched the Michigan State chapter of the Coaches Vs. Cancer program. Now in its second season, the Izzos are looking for an even better year. Signature events for 2009 include the Suits and Sneakers Fundraising Challenge, where employees donate funds for the right to wear sneakers in the work place, an NCAA Final Four Reception (April 3, 2009), and Izzo Goes To Broadway (May 6, 2009), a cabaret style show featuring special guests and professional talent, directed by Broadway director and East Lansing native Greg Ganakas at the Wharton Center on the MSU campus. For more information on any of these initiatives contact Kate Follett from the American Cancer Society at 517-664-1370.
