Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Host Hawkeyes In Early Rematch
1/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 19, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
#6/7 Michigan State (15-3, 5-0)
vs. Iowa (7-11, 1-4)
Jan. 20, 2010
6:30 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: Big Ten Network - Gus Johnson (Play by Play), Steve Smith (Color)
The Opening Tip
Michigan State and Iowa meet for the second time in a span of 12 days. The Spartans won the first meeting, 71-53, on Jan. 9 in Iowa City. Following this final game of a three-game homestand, the Spartans enter a stretch in which they will play six of their next eight games on the road. MSU currently holds a one-game lead in the Big Ten standings.
The Starting Five
1. Big Ten Defense
Michigan State's defense has been very effective in league play, holding opponents to 57.2 points per game, ranking second in the Big Ten. MSU's conference opponents are shooting just .370 from the field, ranking second in the league, including a league-low .278 from 3-point range. Over the last four games, MSU is holding opponents to 54.0 points, .370 field-goal percentage, including .256 from behind the arc.
2. Bench Production
Michigan State's bench is averaging 29.8 points per game, including 26.6 points in Big Ten play. On average, MSU's bench is out-scoring Big Ten opponents' benches by a 26.6-13.8 margin, including a remarkable 27-3 edge over Minnesota. Draymond Green (10.9 ppg) and Durrell Summers (10.2 ppg) average in double figures off the bench, while MSU's leading assist man (Korie Lucious - 4.0 apg) and rebounder (Green - 7.8 rpg) are reserves.
3. Go Green
Sophomore Draymond Green is proving to be one of the most versatile players in the Big Ten and one of the nation's premier sixth men, coming off the bench in 15 of 18 games. Through 18 games, he is averaging a team-best 7.8 boards per game, recording double-figure rebounds in five games. Further demonstrating his versatility, he ranks first on the team in steals (29), second in blocks (15), field-goal percentage (.602) and scoring (10.9 ppg), and third in assists (3.2 apg). He's recorded four double-doubles on the season. And despite coming off the bench in a majority of the contests, he ranks third on the squad in minutes per game (24.9 mpg).
4. A Touch Of Green In Big Ten Stats
Draymond Green leads the Big Ten in field-goal percentage (.602) and ranks second in rebounding (7.8 rpg) and ninth in steals (1.61 spg). His 1.90 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks fifth in the league, and first among non-point guards. He is the only player in the league 6-foot-6 or taller to average more than three assists per game.
5. Hot Start In League Play
For the second straight season, Michigan State has opened Big Ten play with a 5-0 record. It marks the only two 5-0 league starts of the Tom Izzo coaching era. In fact, MSU has opened league play with a 5-0 mark just three times since starting league play in 1950-51. MSU has never started 6-0 under Coach Izzo. Its best ever start was a 7-0 mark in 1977-78.
MSU vs. Iowa Notes
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Iowa, 61-52, including a 39-17 advantage in games played in East Lansing. The Spartans have won 18 of the last 25 meetings. Tom Izzo is 19-8 in his career against Iowa.
Coach Lickliter
Todd Lickliter (Butler `79) is 166-108 in his ninth season as a collegiate head coach, including 35-47 in his third season at Iowa. He led Butler to four post-season tournament berths, including trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2003 and 2007. Lickliter was named the 2006-07 Division I Coach of the Year by the NABC.
The Last Meeting
Michigan State defeated Iowa, 71-53, on Jan. 9, 2010 in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes held a 13-9 lead just over five minutes into the game following an Eric May 3-pointer. The Spartans responded with a 12-0 run, including three straight baskets from Draymond Green and back-to-back 3-pointers from Chris Allen and Durrell Summers. Holding a 36-28 lead at the half, MSU opened the second stanza on a 12-0 run, including six points from Raymar Morgan, to push its lead out to 48-28. Iowa never got closer than 14 after that. The Spartans held a 38-22 advantage on the glass and shot 55.1 percent from the field, compared to just 39.2 percent for the Hawkeyes.
The Last Meeting In East Lansing
Michigan State defeated Iowa, 62-54, on Feb. 25, 2009, in East Lansing. Trailing 9-8 early, MSU went on a 14-2 run that included three straight 3-pointers from Korie Lucious and another 3-pointer from Chris Allen to give the Spartans a 22-11 lead midway through the first half. After that, MSU could not extend the lead past 12 points, but also did not allow Iowa to creep any closer than five points. MSU's three freshmen (Draymond Green-4, Korie Lucious-12, Delvon Roe-16) combined to score 32 of MSU's 62 points as Roe and Lucious each tallied Big Ten-play highs. The Spartans' first-half defense was the key to victory, holding the Hawkeyes to 35.0 percent shooting, although Iowa did shoot 55.0 percent after the break. MSU out-rebounded Iowa, 33-19, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds, compared to just two for the Hawkeyes.
Hawkeye Notes
Iowa leads the Big Ten in 3-point field goals attempted (451), averaging 25.1 attempts per game ... 48.8 percent of Iowa's field-goal attempts are 3-pointers, ranking second in the nation ... Eight different Hawkeyes have attempted 18 or more, and four players average more than three attempts per contest ... 81.1 percent of Iowa's scoring comes from freshmen and sophomores.
Game 18 Recap - MSU 73 - Illinois 63
* After being out-rebounded, 18-17, in the first half, the Spartans were +9 on the boards in the second half.
* Delvon Roe scored a season-high 15 points, including a career-best 7-of-7 effort at the foul line.
* Raymar Morgan recorded his third double-double of the season. It was the 10th double-double of his career, and the first in Big Ten play since Jan. 6, 2009 (vs. Ohio State).
* Four different Spartans recorded four assists.
* Michigan State's defense limited Mike Tisdale to two points on 0-of-1 shooting. Tisdale entered the game averaging 20.3 points in the first four league contests.
* Michigan State went on a 46-17 run from the 5:50 mark of the first half until the 8:07 mark of the second half, holding a 23 point lead late in the game.
* Michigan State shot a season-best 80.8 percent at the foul line.
MSU Basketball Notes
Turnovers, Defense Make A Difference
Two key factors have emerged as a difference between winning and losing for Michigan State: turnovers and field-goal percentage defense. The Spartans are averaging 18.7 turnovers in their three losses, including 23 vs. Florida and 22 vs. Texas, leading to 19.3 points for the opponent per game. In 15 wins, MSU is averaging just 13.9 turnovers, leading to just 13.5 opponent points. Defensively, MSU is 14-0 when holding teams below 41 percent shooting, but 1-3 when an opponent shoots above 40 percent. With North Carolina (.579) and Texas (.561) both shooting well above 50 percent, the Spartans are allowing opponents to shoot .514 in their losses, compared to .367 in victory.
Attacking The Offensive Glass
Michigan State is averaging 14.0 offensive rebounds per contest, leading to 15.3 second chance points per game. The Spartans are grabbing 41.4 percent of their misses. Against Florida, MSU grabbed 60 percent of its misses, collecting 18 offensive boards, compared to just 12 defensive boards for the Gators. Michigan State also grabbed more offensive boards than its opponent had defensive boards in games against Wofford and The Citadel. MSU has totaled 18 or more offensive rebounds in three games. The Spartans are paced in offensive rebounds by Delvon Roe and Draymond Green with 2.3 per contest.
Offensive Balance
Michigan State has proven it has several different offensive weapons as five Spartans currently average in double figures. Kalin Lucas paces the Spartan offense at 15.7 points per game, followed by Draymond Green (10.9 ppg), Raymar Morgan (10.6 ppg), Durrell Summers (10.2 ppg) and Chris Allen (10.1 ppg). MSU has had four or more players score in double figures in 12 of the 18 games, as eight different players have scored 10 or more points at least once this season, and six different players have led the team in scoring in a single game.
Home Sweet Home
During Tom Izzo's career as head coach, the Spartans are 204-24 (.895) at home, including 181-15 (.923) over the last 13 years (1997-98 to present). MSU has defeated 47 consecutive non-conference opponents at the Breslin Center, dating back to a Dec. 3, 2003, loss to Duke.
A Unique Trend
In general, college basketball teams score more points on their home court than they do on the road. That is not the case for Michigan State through the first five games of the Big Ten season. The Spartans are averaging 81.0 points in road wins at Northwestern and Iowa, and 62.3 points in wins over Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.
Winning In Different Fashions
A sign of a great team is the ability to win different kinds of basketball games. Michigan State has already shown some of that trait in the Big Ten season, winning at Northwestern with a 91-point offensive outburst, and defeating Wisconsin, 54-47, with a stifling defensive effort, holding the Badgers to 33.3 percent shooting. It's reminiscent of the 2000 NCAA Championship team that defeated Wisconsin, 53-41, in the National Semifinal and then sprinted by Florida, 89-76, in the title game. Just last year, MSU defeated Louisville in the Elite Eight with 64 points, and beat Connecticut in the Final Four with 82 points.
Spartan Depth
Nine different Spartans are averaging 7.7 minutes or more, including seven at 21.0 minutes or more. Kalin Lucas leads Michigan State with 30.6 minutes per contest after averaging a team-best 31.9 minutes per game last season. The Spartans have also used 11 different starting lineups, as 10 different Spartans have started a game, and no one has started every game. Last season, MSU used 14 different starting lineups, including nine in the first 12 games.
On The Mark
As a team, MSU is shooting .492 from the floor, ranking second the Big Ten and 15th in the nation (as of Jan. 19). Individually, seven Spartans are connecting on better than 50 percent of their shots, led by Tom Herzog at .800 (8-of-10). Among players with more than 30 attempts, Draymond Green paces the way at .602 (74-123), leading the league.
Better At The Foul Line
Michigan State has struggled at the foul line this season, converting at a .686 percentage. The Spartans, however, are showing improvement recently, hitting .733 percent of their attempts in the last eight games, raising the team's average from .644 to its current mark. Individually, Durrell Summers ranks fourth in the league at .844. Kalin Lucas ranks seventh in the conference (.830), including a remarkable .966 in league play (28-of-29).
Spartan Defense
One of Tom Izzo's early concerns about his team was the defense, having lost 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Travis Walton and outstanding post defender Goran Suton. For the most part, however, the Spartans have responded early, limiting opponents to 39.1 percent on the season, as only two opponents (UNC and Texas) have shot better than 44 percent. MSU has been equally stingy on its 3-point defense, holding teams to 30.7 percent shooting behind the arc, limiting seven opponents to 25 percent or lower.
It's All About Boardwork
Last season, Michigan State led the nation in rebounding margin at +9.3, marking the third time in the last 10 years the Spartans have paced the nation. Including 2009-10, MSU has led the Big Ten in rebounding margin in 11 of the last 13 years. In the Tom Izzo era, MSU has out-rebounded 384 of 491 opponents (.782), posting a 306-78 (.797) mark in those games. This season, MSU has out-rebounded its opponents by a margin of +10.1, ranking second in the nation (as of Jan. 19), bettering 15 of 18 teams, and tying two. The Spartans are 14-1 when out-rebounding an opponent, but 1-2 when failing to do so.
Allen From Distance
Chris Allen entered Michigan State with the reputation of being a great shooter. Through his first two years, he struggled with consistency, but has elevated his level of play as a junior. Allen leads the squad in 3-point field goals made (29), attempted (77) and percentage (.377). He's also shooting .458 from the floor. His previous career high percentages were .385 from the floor and .360 from 3-point range, both established last season. As his offense improves so has the rest of his game as he is averaging career best in rebounds (3.2 rpg), assists (2.1 apg) and steals (0.6 spg).
Spartans Among National Leaders
Michigan State ranks in the top five nationally in two different statistical categories (as of Jan. 19). The Spartans rank second in the nation with a +10.2 rebound margin and fourth in assists per game (18.4 apg).
Sims Joins Squad
Dion Sims joined the Michigan State basketball team for his first practice on Jan. 11 after spending the fall with the football team, where he caught 11 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns. As a senior hoops standout at Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Sims averaged 21.9 points and 9.4 rebounds, earning 2009 Associated Press Class A All-State honors and finishing fourth in the voting for the Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award.
Lucas On Target
Kalin Lucas has elevated his shooting accuracy as a junior. Having entered the season with a career field-goal percentage of .410, Lucas is shooting .468 from the field this year, including .370 from behind the 3-point arc.
Lending A Helping Hand
According to the most recent NCAA statistics (as of Jan. 19), Michigan State ranks fourth in the nation in assists. With a current average of 18.4 assists per game, the Spartans have recorded an assist on 64.0 percent of their baskets. It's a team effort as five different Spartans average more than two assists per game.
Double-Double Trouble
At least one Spartan has recorded a double-double in 10 games, as five different Spartans have posted a double-double. Draymond Green (vs. FGCU, 11 pts., 10 reb.; vs. Florida, 15 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Oakland, 19 pts., 12 reb.; vs. Iowa, 14 pts., 11 reb.) leads the way with four, while Raymar Morgan (vs. Wofford, 19 pts., 11 reb.; vs. The Citadel, 11 pts., 10 reb., vs. Illinois, 14 pts., 10 reb.) has three and Delvon Roe (vs. Toledo, 10 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Valparaiso, 10 pts., 17 reb.) has two. Derrick Nix (vs. FGCU, 11 pts., 14 reb.) and Durrell Summers (vs. Gonzaga, 21 pts., 11 reb.) each have tallied one.
Moving Up The Scoring Chart
With 20 points against Florida, Kalin Lucas became the 40th Spartan to record 1,000 career points. The Spartan junior ranks 26th in MSU history with 1,211 points, standing one behind Ken Redfield and Kirk Manns (1,212 points) and 31 behind Stan Washington (1,242 points). Lucas has scored in double figures in 28 straight games, dating back to last season. His teammate, Raymar Morgan, currently ranks 20th in MSU history with 1,370 points. He needs eight points to pass Julius McCoy (1,377 points) and move into 19th place. He also stands 12 points behind Robert Chapman (1,382 points) and 13 behind Darryl Johnson (1,383 points).
Lucas On Watch Lists
Kalin Lucas is one of 20 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, recognizing the nation's top point guard. He is also one of 31 midseason candidates for the John R. Wooden Award, while also being placed on the Naismith Award preseason watch list.
Taking Care of the Ball
Korie Lucious has posted impressive numbers in his role as a reserve point guard. He leads the team with 4.0 assists per game and his 2.67 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks fourth in the Big Ten. Last season, he averaged just 1.2 assists with a 1.12 assist-to-turnover ratio. Raymar Morgan has also improved his ball handling. Entering the season with a career 0.57 assist-to-turnover ratio, he has improved to 1.58 (41 assists, 26 turnovers) this season.
Spartan Quad-Captains
Senior forward Raymar Morgan and junior guard Kalin Lucas were unanimous selections for team co-captains as voted on by their Spartan teammates. Right after Christmas, the MSU coaching staff added Draymond Green and Isaiah Dahlman as captains, rewarding them for their leadership.
Big Ten Strength
Eight different league schools (Michigan State, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin) have been ranked in The Associated Press Top 25 this season, including four in the current poll (MSU-No. 6, PU-No. 13, UW-No. 18, OSU-No. 21). The last time that MSU played five different ranked schools during league play came during the 1999 season when the Spartans played six different ranked league opponents.
Life Away From Home
Michigan State is 4-3 away from home this season, including 3-2 on an opponent's home court, with losses at Texas and North Carolina. Three of the Spartans' road games have been against a ranked opponent. MSU has won 10 of its last 11 conference road games for the first time since 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Last season, MSU was 19-5 away from East Lansing, including 10-4 on a neutral court, while also establishing a school record with eight Big Ten road wins.
Another Strong Non-Conference Schedule
Michigan State was tested often during its 2009-10 non-conference schedule. The Spartans played true road games at No. 10 North Carolina and No. 2 Texas. The last time MSU played two ranked non-conference teams on the road was 2003-04 (No. 6 Kansas, No. 17 Syracuse). In addition, MSU hosted Gonzaga and played Florida on a neutral court in the Legends Classic in Atlantic City.
MSU's All-Time Leader
With MSU's 106-68 win over UMass, Tom Izzo became the winningest coach in Michigan State history with his 341st career victory, passing his mentor Jud Heathcote. Izzo began working for Heathcote in the 1983-84 season, and was elevated to associate head coach in July 1990. On March 30, 1993, Izzo was named Heathcote's hand-picked successor following the 1994-95 season.
Strong Debut
Center Derrick Nix had one of the top freshman debuts in Michigan State history. Nix's 14 rebounds set an MSU freshman debut record, besting the previous mark of 10 held by Matt Steigenga and Ben Tower. Nix (11 points, 14 rebounds) also became just the second freshman in MSU history to debut with a double-double, joining Steigenga (15 pts., 10 reb.). Nix is the 2009 Hal Schram Mr. Basketball honoree, having led Detroit Pershing to a Michigan Class A State Championship.
Big Ten Favorites
After winning the 2009 Big Ten regular-season title by four games, Michigan State was selected as the preseason conference favorite for the 2009-10 men's basketball season, as voted upon by a 24-member media panel. Purdue and Ohio State were chosen to finish second and third, respectively. Reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas was tabbed as Preseason Player of the Year.
Spartans In The NBA
Five former Spartans are currently on NBA rosters, including Charlie Bell (Milwaukee Bucks), Shannon Brown (Los Angeles Lakers), Morris Peterson (New Orleans Hornets), Zach Randolph (Memphis Grizzlies) and Jason Richardson (Phoenix Suns).
The Book On Tom Izzo
Coach Izzo
In his 14th year, Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan, '77) is 351-140 (.715), and 165-72 (.696) in the Big Ten, as the coach of the Michigan State basketball program. He ranks as the winningest coach in Michigan State history, having passed his mentor Jud Heathcote with a 106-68 win over UMass for his 341st career victory. 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 .696 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 Izzo (.715), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712) and Lambert (.709). With 165 conference victories, Izzo ranks eighth all-time.
Izzo Among Best Ever
Through his first 14 seasons, Tom Izzo won 336 games, ranking seventh in college basketball history for most wins by a college coach in his first 14 years.
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 seventh 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 fifth 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 third season with Utah. Stan Joplin, an assistant during Izzo's first season, spent 12 seasons as head coach at Toledo.
