Spartans Open Big Ten Tournament On Friday
3/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 11, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Big Ten Tournament
#7/6 Michigan State (25-5, 15-3)
vs. Minnesota (21-9, 9-9)/Northwestern (17-12, 8-10)
March 13, 2009
12 p.m. EDT
Indianapolis, Ind.
Conseco Fieldhouse
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 - Brent Musburger (Play by Play), Steve Lavin (Color), Erin Andrews (Sidelines)
Coach Izzo Press Conference - March 9
Complete Release in PDF Format
The Opening Tip
Michigan State opens play in the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Spartans will play the winner of the Northwestern/Minnesota game on Friday afternoon. The Spartans are looking to capture the tournament title to go with their regular-season crown, just as they did in 1999 and 2000.
The Starting Five
1. MSU In The Big Ten Tournament
The Spartans are looking to capture their third Big Ten Tournament championship. In 12 years of the Big Ten Tournament, MSU has a record of 12-9. The Spartans won the tournament in 1999 and 2000, and lost in the quarterfinals in 1998, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2007. MSU lost in the semifinals in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008. The Spartans are 4-4 when the tournament is held in Indianapolis.
2. Big Ten Champs
Michigan State won the 2009 Big Ten Championship outright. It is the fifth regular-season Big Ten Championship for head coach Tom Izzo, as he directed the Spartans to four-straight league crowns from 1998-2001. It marks the first outright crown for the Spartans since 1999. Overall, it is Michigan State's 11th Big Ten title since joining the conference in 1951 (1957, 1959, 1967, 1978, 1979, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2009). Michigan State became the first conference team to win the Big Ten by four games since 1985. Minnesota won the league by four games in 1997, but was later forced to vacate the title due to NCAA sanctions.
3. Spartans Claim Major Conference Awards
With team success, comes individual accolades as Michigan State claimed the Coach of the Year, Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Tom Izzo earned Coach of the Year honors as voted on by the coaches. Kalin Lucas was voted Big Ten Player of the Year by both the media and coaches and Travis Walton was chosen by the coaches as the Defensive Player of the Year. Michigan State becomes just the second program in league history (since 1984) to win all three awards in the same season, joining Illinois in 2005.
4. Beating The Best
According to the ESPN.com InsideRPI Daily (March 9), Michigan State leads the nation with 12 wins against the RPI top 50, including six away from East Lansing. Pittsburgh and Kansas have nine wins each against the RPI top 50, while Oklahoma, Connecticut, Louisville and Illinois have eight each.
5. Cranking Up The Defense
Michigan State has won eight of the last nine games thanks in large part to great defense. Over the last nine games, the Spartans are holding opponents to 54.2 points per game, allowing teams to shoot just 37.5 percent from the field and 25.5 percent from 3-point range. Only two teams have scored 60 points and just one scored more than 66.
MSU vs. Minnesota Notes
Series History
The Michigan State-Minnesota all-time series is tied at 56. The Spartans have won 10 of the last 11 and 15 of the last 18 meetings. Tom Izzo has an 18-7 all-time record against the Golden Gophers.
Spartans Vs. Gophers In Big Ten Tournament
Minnesota defeated Michigan State, 76-73, in the 1998 Big Ten Tournament (March 6). The eighth-seeded Gophers defeated the top-seeded Spartans behind 29 points from Eric Harris. The Gophers out-shot the Spartans, .519-.379.
Coach Smith
Orlando "Tubby" Smith (High Point, '73) is 428-168 in his 18th season as a collegiate head coach, including 41-23 in his second season with Minnesota. Prior to his arrival in Minneapolis, he spent 10 seasons as head coach at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats to the 1998 NCAA Championship. His head coaching career also includes a two-year stint at Georgia and four seasons at Tulsa.
The Last Meeting
Michigan State defeated Minnesota, 76-47, on Feb. 4, 2009, in East Lansing. Durrell Summers hit a 3-pointer less than 10 seconds into the game, and hit two more before the game was five minutes old as MSU sprinted out to a 13-1 lead en route to a 42-16 lead. Summers out-scored the Gophers, 17-16, in the first half and led MSU with 21 points. MSU shot 51.0 percent for the game, compared to 28.8 percent for the Gophers.
MSU vs. Northwestern Notes
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Northwestern, 77-37. The Spartans have won 12 of the last 13 games in the series, 19 of the last 21 and 39 of the last 42 contests. Tom Izzo is 22-3 in his career against Northwestern.
Coach Carmody
Bill Carmody (Union College, '75) is 211-172 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach, including 119-147 in nine seasons at Northwestern. He served as head coach at Princeton from 1996-2000.
Spartans Vs. Wildcats In Big Ten Tournament
Michigan State is 3-0 against Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament, defeating the Widcats in 1999, 2004 and 2007. On March 5, 1999, No. 1 MSU defeated No. 8 NU, 61-59. Andre Hutson scored 15 points and Jason Klein added 13 as the Spartans held off upset-minded Northwestern, led by Evan Eschmeyer's 30 points. MSU would win the next two games by double figures to capture the school's first conference tournament crown. In 2004, Chris Hill scored 17 points to lead No. 3 MSU past the sixth-seeded Wildcats, 68-55, on March 12. Jitim Young led Northwestern with 24 points. MSU shot a school-tournament record 61.9 percent from the field. On March 8, 2007, No. 7 MSU defeated No. 10 Northwestern, 62-57. Drew Neitzel knocked down five 3-pointers en route to a team-high 20 points, as MSU recorded 20 assists on 22 field goals.
The Last Meeting
Northwestern defeated Michigan State, 70-63, on Jan. 21, 2009, in East Lansing. MSU committed 18 turnovers, and the Wildcats held a 27-7 advantage in points off turnovers. Kevin Coble scored a game-high 31 points, and Michael Thompson added 20. Kalin Lucas scored 20 and Goran Suton recorded a double-double (15 points, 14 rebounds). The Wildcats made four of their last five 3-pointers in the final 7:09.
Game 30 Notes - Michigan State 62 - Purdue 51
* Michigan State tied a school record with its 15th win of the conference season.
* Goran Suton recorded his fifth double-double of the season (11 points, 10 rebounds).
* Purdue scored just four points in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
* MSU held Purdue to 28.3 percent shooting from the field, the lowest percentage for any Spartan opponent this season. Purdue shot just 6-of-32 in the second half (18.8 percent).
* MSU out-rebounded Purdue, 50-32, including a 29-16 edge in the second half.
* The Spartans held a 12-4 advantage in fast-break points.
MSU Basketball Notes
Coach of the Year
For the second time in his career, Tom Izzo has earned Big Ten Coaches of the Year accolades. Izzo earned the award in a vote of his coaching peers, while Penn State's Ed DeChellis took the media vote. Izzo previously was recognized in 1998, his third year directing the Spartans.
Player of the Year
Sophomore Kalin Lucas was voted Big Ten Player of the Year by both the league's coaches and media. Lucas becomes the third different Spartan of the Coach Izzo era to earn Big Ten Player of the Year honors, joining Mateen Cleaves (1998 and 1999) and Morris Peterson (2000). He is the first Spartan to earn the accolade from both the coaches and media since 1998. Since 1985, he is just the seventh sophomore to capture the honor, joining Indiana's Jay Edwards (1985), Ohio State's Jim Jackson (1991), Purdue's Glenn Robinson (1994), Cleaves (1998), Illinois' Frank Williams (2001) and Indiana's Jared Jeffries (2002). In conference play, Lucas ranked second in the league in scoring, averaging 16.5 points per game. In league road contests, he raised his scoring average to 18.0 ppg, as MSU established a school record with eight conference road wins. He was MSU's leading scorer in 11 of 18 Big Ten games.
Defensive Player of the Year
Travis Walton was voted Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches. He becomes just the third player in Michigan State history to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, joining Ken Redfield (1990) and Eric Snow (1995).
Morgan Key To Spartan Attack
Raymar Morgan has averaged 11.7 points and 24.3 minutes in the last three games, including 14 each in Spartan wins at Illinois and Indiana. The 14 points against the Illini were the most he's scored in a game since Jan. 14 against Penn State. After the game against the Nittany Lions, Morgan battled walking pneumonia/mild form of mononucleosis for more than a month, playing limited minutes in eight games and missing three. 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 first Illinois contest, including 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in league play, leading the Spartans in scoring and shooting 60.0 percent from the field. MSU is 16-2 with Morgan in the starting lineup and 19-1 when he plays 20 minutes or more. The Spartans average 76.1 points and own a +10.9 rebound margin when Morgan plays 20 minutes or more, but just 64.6 ppg and +8.6 on the boards when he plays fewer than 20 minutes or not at all.
Wins Starting To Pile Up
With 25 wins, Michigan State has notched its 18th 20-win season in school history. The 25 victories are the eighth most in school history, tied with the 1978 squad. The 25 wins rank as the third-largest regular-season total, one behind the 1989-90 and 1998-99 teams. 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. MSU finished the conference season with 15 league victories, tying the 1999 (15-1), 1990 (15-3) and 1978 (15-3) squads for a school record.
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. Since the start of February, he is averaging 8.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 22.3 minutes in 10 games. 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. Recently, he scored a season-best 16 points vs. Iowa.
Glass Cleaner
Goran Suton finshed conference play as the Big Ten's leading rebounder (8.4 rpg), becoming the first Spartan to lead the league in rebounding since Antonio Smith in 1997. Suton currently ranks second overall (7.8 rpg). In conference play, he has recorded double-figure boards against Minnesota (12), Penn State (14), Northwestern (14), Iowa (11), Wisconsin (10), Illinois (10) and Purdue (10). In league action, he leads the conference in offensive rebounds (3.00 orpg) and ranks second in defensive boards (5.44 drpg). His efforts are a large reason MSU owns an impressive +11.5 rebounding margin in league games. With 805 rebounds for his career, Goran Suton ranks eighth in MSU history, nine behind Bill Kilgore (814) in seventh place and 30 behind Andre Hutson (835) in sixth place.
MSU In March
Michigan State is 49-20 in March since the 1998-99 season. For his career, Tom Izzo is 56-27 in March.
MSU's Defensive Stopper
A three-time All-Big Ten Defensive Team member and 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Travis Walton 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; Demetri McCamey (Illinois) 3-9 FG, 5 turnovers. He split his responsibilities against Wisconsin, holding Joe Krabbenhoft to two points and no rebounds in the first half and Trevon Hughes to two points and just two shots in the second half. In league games, he ranks third in the conference in steals at 1.83 spg, including four steals against Wisconsin and Minnesota and three against Illinois (both games) and Purdue.
It's All About Boardwork
Michigan State ranks second in the nation in rebound margin at +10.1 (as of March 9). MSU has led the Big Ten in rebounding margin in nine of the last 11 years. This season, the Spartans are 23-4 when out-rebounding their opponent. MSU has out-rebounded 20 straight opponents. It's a group effort for MSU, as seven different players have led the team or shared the team lead in rebounding in a single game. In Big Ten play, the Spartans posted a +11.5 rebounding margin.
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 14 different starting lineups this season, including nine in the first 12 games. Eleven 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.
Life Away From Home
Michigan State finished a league-best 8-1 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 9-1 in true road games, winning at No. 21 Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan, No. 20 Illinois, Indiana 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 13-3 away from the Breslin Center, tied with Connecticut for the most wins away from home among teams in the big six conferences. MSU played nine of its first 13 games away from home.
Walton In A Sharing Mood
With 527 career assists, Travis Walton ranks sixth in Michigan State history. Over the last seven games, he has totaled 26 assists and just six turnovers. His 3.53 assist-to-turnover ratio leads the Big Ten in conference games, while his 2.48 ratio paces the league overall. He needs 35 assists to pass current Spartan assistant Mark Montgomery (561 assists) for fifth place.
Lucas Dials Up His Scoring
Kalin Lucas won Big Ten Player of the Year honors as voted on by both the league's coaches and media. He has ranked among the league and national leaders in assists all season, but he's recently elevated his scoring. Over the last 19 games, Lucas is averaging 16.8 points, ranking second in the Big Ten in scoring in conference games at 16.5 ppg. During the last 19 games, he is averaging 5.7 free-throw attempts per game, shooting 85.3 percent from the foul line. He's led MSU in scoring in 12 of the last 19 games, scoring 20 or more points in eight contests.
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 24 games, the Spartans are allowing just 60.0 points on 40.2 percent shooting, including just 30.1 percent from 3-point range.
Defending The Three
Michigan State finished second in the Big Ten in 3-point field-goal percentage defense in league contests, allowing opponents to hit just 29.9 percent of their shots from behind the arc. Over the last nine games, opponents have made just 25.5 percent of their 3-pointers (42-of-165).
Suton Closing In On 1,000-800 Club
Senior center Goran Suton is closing in on joining an exclusive club, as he looks to become the eighth player in Michigan State history to record 1,000 career points and 800 career rebounds. He currently has 984 points and 805 rebounds, needing 16 points to join Greg Kelser (2,014 pts., 1,092 reb.), Paul Davis (1,718 pts., 910 reb.), Andre Hutson (1,393 pts., 835 reb.), Mike Peplowski (1,185 pts., 906 reb.), Lindsay Hairston (1,155 pts., 803 reb.), Bill Kilgore (1,099 pts., 814 reb.) and Johnny Green (1,062 pts., 1,036 reb.).
The Turnover Story
Michigan State is 14-1 when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent, and 4-0 when turnovers are equal, but just 7-4 when committing more. The Spartans are 18-1 when committing fewer than 15 turnovers, but just 7-4 when committing 15 or more. In their wins, the Spartans average just 13.4 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.
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 16-0 when scoring 70 or more points, but just 9-5 when scoring fewer than 70. Defensively, MSU is 23-0 when allowing fewer than 70 points, but 2-5 when allowing more than 70.
Hitting The Offensive Glass
Michigan State leads the Big Ten in offensive rebounds, grabbing 13.90 per game. The Spartans are grabbing 40.9 percent of their missed shots, collecting 417 offensive rebounds compared to 603 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 totaled 255 offensive rebounds compared to 343 defensive boards for the opponents, averaging 14.17 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 30 games, Michigan State has proven to have great depth. Eight Spartans average 10.6 minutes or more, while 10 average 9.0 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 8.8 points or better for the highest scoring team in the Big Ten. Eight different players have led MSU in scoring in a single game this season. On the boards, three Spartans average 5.5 boards per contest, as MSU paces the league in rebounding margin.
Lending A Helping Hand
Michigan State is recording an assist on 63.8 percent of its baskets (488-of-765). The Spartans average 16.27 assists per game, ranking second in the Big Ten, and 17th in the nation. Against Alcorn State, MSU dished out 35 assists. Individually, Kalin Lucas ranks fourth in the conference with 4.60 assists per contest, while freshman Korie Lucious dished out 11 against Alcorn State, the most by any Spartan this season.
Bench Scoring
MSU's bench has out-scored the opponent's bench in 21 of 30 games this season. The Spartan reserves have out-scored the opponent subs, 783-509, an average of 26.1-17.0.
Suton's Presence
After missing six straight games with a left knee injury in November and December, Goran Suton has appeared in the last 22 games, averaging 10.2 points and 8.0 boards in 26.5 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. 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.), Northwestern (15 pts., 14 reb.), Iowa (16 pts., 10 reb.) and Purdue (11 pts., 10 reb.). MSU is 21-3 with Suton in the lineup.
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 13 games, they have combined to average 26.4 points as Lucas is averaging 16.2 and Summers is averaging 10.2 points per game.
The Free Throw Story
Traditionally a strong free-throw shooting team, Michigan State is shooting just .689 from the charity stripe. MSU is averaging 23.2 free-throw attempts per game, compared to just 17.9 attempts for Spartan opponents. In league play, the Spartans are shooting better, connecting on 71.0 percent of their attempts, ranking sixth in the league.
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 24 of the Spartans' 30 games, and has been the first sub off the bench in 15 of the last 22 games in which he's come off the bench. Allen leads the Spartans in 3-point field goals made (45) and attempted (132).
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 1,135 points for his career, he ranks 32nd on the MSU all-time scoring chart. He needs 12 points to pass Pete Gent for 31st place.
Lucas Dishes It Out
Kalin Lucas ranks fourth in the Big Ten with a 2.26-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, while ranking fourth in the conference at 4.60 helpers per contest. Lucas has recorded one or no turnovers in 16 of 30 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.
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.
Finding A Shooting Touch
Travis Walton worked hard in the offseason to improve his offensive game, but was unable to find the range during the first two games of the season, making just one of his first six shots. He quickly found the shooting touch in the first two games of the Old Spice Classic, scoring a career-high 16 points in each contest, while shooting a combined 15-of-20 (.750) from the field. On the season, Walton is shooting .434, averaging 5.2 points per game, scoring in double figures in four games.
All-District Selections
Kalin Lucas was named First-Team All-District 7 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He is joined on the first team by Michigan's Manny Harris, Penn State's Talor Battle, Purdue's JaJuan Johnson and Ohio State's Evan Turner. Goran Suton earned a spot on the second team. Lucas also earned All-District V honors from the United States Basketball Writers Association. He is joined by Harris, Johnson, Turner, Illinois' Mike Davis, Notre Dame's Luke Harangody, Butler's Matt Howard, Purdue's Robbie Hummel, Marquette's Jerel McNeal and Xavier's B.J. Raymond.
Spartans On The Run
Michigan State leads the Big Ten in scoring offense at 72.2 points per game overall and 67.6 points in conference action. It marks the first time the Spartans have led the league in scoring in league games since the 2004 Spartans averaged 71.3 points per game.
Spartans Hit The Mark
After leading the Big Ten in field-goal percentage for the last five seasons, the Spartans currently rank third in the league in field-goal percentage (.458). Individually, Raymar Morgan ranks second in the conference, connecting on 56.1 percent of his shots.
MSU's X-Factor
Marquise Gray is a real X-factor for the Spartans in the sense that when he is productive, Michigan State almost always wins. Gray has scored in double figures 17 times in his career, and the Spartans are 16-1 in those games. The lone loss came against North Carolina in the 2007 NCAA Tournament, where Gray tallied 11 points. In addition, MSU is 4-0 when Gray grabs 10 or more rebounds and 3-0 when he posts a double-double.
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.
Hitting The Century Mark
Michigan State has scored 100 or more points in two games this season, including a 118-60 win over Alcorn State and a 100-62 win over Idaho in the season opener. The Spartans have scored at least 100 points 41 times in school history, including eight times under Tom Izzo. The 118 points against Alcorn State tied the second-highest total in school history, while the 100 points against Idaho marked just the second time in school history that MSU has scored exactly 100 points.
In The Rankings
Michigan State is ranked No.7 in The Associated Press poll and No. 6 in the USA TODAY/ESPN coaches' poll. Four Spartan opponents are also ranked, including North Carolina (#1 AP/#1 USA Today/ESPN), Kansas (#11/11), Purdue (#24/24) and Illinois (-/#25). MSU is 5-2 against ranked opponents this season.
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).
MSU's Home-Court Advantage
Since the Breslin Center opened for the 1989-90 season, Michigan State has posted a 267-39 (.873) home record, including 170-15 (.919) in the last 12 seasons.
The Book On Tom Izzo
Coach Izzo
In his 14th year, Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan, '77) is 330-135 (.710), and 160-72 (.690) 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. He earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 1998 and 2009.
Among The Big Ten's Best
Tom Izzo's .690 winning percentage in Big Ten games ranks second all-time among league coaches with at least 10 years of service, behind former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700) and just ahead of Purdue's Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Knight ranks first at .734, followed by Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), Izzo (.710) and Lambert (.709). With 160 conference victories, Izzo ranks eighth all-time.
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.
Izzo Against Ranked Opponents
In his 14 years of coaching, Tom Izzo is 70-66 against ranked opponents.
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 192-24 (.889) at home, including 169-15 (.918) 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.
