Michigan State University Athletics
Road Warrior Spartans Travel To Wisconsin
2/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 1, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
#5/5 Michigan State (19-3, 9-0)
vs. #16/16 Wisconsin (16-5, 6-3)
Feb. 2, 2010
9 p.m. EST
Madison, Wis.
Kohl 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 - Brent Musburger (Play by Play), Steve Lavin (Color), Erin Andrews (Sidelines)
Michigan State Game Notes
Wisconsin Game Notes
Listen To Spartan Sports Podcasts
Coach Izzo Press Conference | Draymond Green | Korie Lucious
The Opening Tip
Michigan State travels to Wisconsin for the Spartans' third road game in the last four contests. MSU enters the contest having won 12 of its last 13 conference road games, while Wisconsin has won 17 straight games at the Kohl Center. The two teams previously met in the MSU's second Big Ten game of the year, back on Jan. 6, with the Spartans claiming a hard-fought 54-47 victory.
The Starting Five
1. Spartans On The Big Ten Road
After winning its first four Big Ten road games of the season, Michigan State has won 12 of its last 13 Big Ten road contests for the first time in school history. In 2008-09, the Spartans were 8-1 on the road, establishing a school record for most number of league road victories.
2. Picking Up Where He Left Off
One of the main reasons Kalin Lucas was named 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year was his ability to lead the Spartans to victory on the road in conference play, averaging 18.0 points in league road games. In 2010 road games, Lucas has picked up where he left off last season, averaging a team-best 17.3 points. For his career, Lucas is averaging 14.4 points in 22 conference road games. Over the last two seasons, that average jumps to 17.8 points per contest.
3. Lucas Heating Up
In the first 17 games of the season, Kalin Lucas recorded three 20-point efforts, averaging 15.5 points. Over the last five games, Lucas is averaging 17.6 points, topping 20 points in three games, including a season-high 23 in his last game vs. Northwestern. He's also hit game-winning shots at Minnesota and at Michigan during the current stretch.
4. Summers Earns POW Honors
Durrell Summers had a very good week last week, averaging 17.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in two games, recording two double-doubles vs. Michigan and Northwestern. He had 10 points and 10 rebounds at Michigan and a Spartan season-high 24 points and 10 rebounds vs. Northwestern. For his efforts he was named Big Ten Player of the Week, becoming the first Spartan honored this year. He's also averaging 3.5 assists and 3.5 offensive rebounds over the last two games, while shooting .591 from the field. He has three double-doubles on the season, having also recorded one vs. Gonzaga.
5. 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 387 of 495 opponents (.782), posting a 309-78 (.798) mark in those games. This season, MSU has out-rebounded its opponents by a margin of +9.8, ranking second in the nation (as of Feb. 1), bettering 18 of 22 teams, and tying two. The Spartans are 17-1 when out-rebounding an opponent, but 2-2 when failing to do so.
MSU vs. Wisconsin Notes
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Wisconsin, 68-58, although the Badgers own a 41-22 advantage in games played in Madison. The home team has won the last nine games played on a college campus.
Coach Ryan
Bo Ryan (Wilkes, `69) is 592-181 in his 26th season as a collegiate head coach, including 209-78 in his ninth 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
Michigan State won a hard-fought 54-47 contest vs. Wisconsin on Jan. 6, 2010, in East Lansing. Both teams shot below 30 percent in the first half as MSU held a 22-20 lead at the break. The Spartans couldn't shake the Badgers, as Wisconsin tied the score five times in the second half, but could never take the lead. A Jon Leuer 3-pointer cut MSU's lead to one at 39-38 with 9:14 left. On the Spartans' next possession, Draymond Green got a layup off a pick-and-roll with Kalin Lucas. After a Badger miss, Korie Lucious attempted a jumper from the top of the key. The shot missed, but Green was there for the tip-in, pushing MSU's lead to 43-38. The Spartans shot 50 percent in the second half. Chris Allen led MSU with 16 points, while Jon Leuer paced UW with 21 points. MSU's four guards (Allen, Lucas, Lucious and Durrell Summers) combined for 20 rebounds, as the Spartans out-boarded the Badgers, 41-27.
The Last Meeting In Madison
Wisconsin defeated Michigan State, 57-42, on Feb. 28, 2008, in Madison. MSU trailed 28-22 at the half, despite 12 points and nine rebounds from Goran Suton. A Drew Neitzel 3-pointer pulled MSU within four points at 37-33 with 9:52 left, but UW went on a 16-3 run over the next six-plus minutes to put the game away. Suton finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Neitzel hit just the one basket. Brian Butch led Wisconsin with 16 points, connecting on 4-of-6 3-pointers. Michigan State committed just six turnovers, but the Badgers committed only one, including none in the second half. For the game, UW hit 8-of-16 3-pointers, compared to just 1-of-10 for MSU.
Badger Notes
Wisconsin leads the Big Ten in scoring defense (57.1 ppg), including 55.3 ppg in conference games ... Wisconsin leads the conference in free throw percentage (.746) ... Jordan Taylor paces the conference with a 3.89 assist-to-turnover ratio, including a remarkable 4.57 ratio in league play ... Prior to Jon Leuer going down with an injury Keaton Nankivil was averaging 7.1 points, but Nankivil has averaged 13.8 points in Leuer's absence.
Game 22 Recap - MSU 79 - Northwestern 70
* For the first time all season, Michigan State had two players score 20 or more points (Durrell Summers-24, Kalin Lucas-23).
* Durrell Summers' 24 points were the most by a Spartan this season.
* Durrell Summers recorded his second straight double-double (24 points, 10 rebounds) and third of the season.
* Michigan State hit 75 percent (15-of-20) of its second half shots, the best percentage in any half this season.
* The Spartans committed just nine turnovers, a season low for MSU in league play.
* Michigan State shot just 37.5 percent (12-of-32) in the first half, but grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, compared to just 9 defensive boards for Northwestern.
* John Shurna's 31 points marked the most scored by any Spartan opponent this season.
* Michigan State opened both halves with alley-oop dunks to Durrell Summers from Chris Allen.
* Michigan State opened the second half with an 18-4 run over the first 7:13.
* Michigan State improved to 5-0 at home on Tom Izzo's birthday.
MSU Basketball Notes
20-Win Seasons
With one more victory, Michigan State will record its 11th 20-win season in the last 13 years, all under head coach Tom Izzo. Of the previous 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.
A Small Group
Michigan State (9-0) joins Villanova (8-0) and Kansas (6-0) as the only teams in a BCS conference currently undefeated in league play. Overall, there are 10 teams undefeated in conference play.
Potent Offense
With its up-tempo style of basketball, it's no surprise that Michigan State is among the most productive offensive teams in the Big Ten. The Spartans currently lead the Big Ten in scoring offense at 76.5 points per game. It's a team effort as just one player (Kalin Lucas, 8th-16.0 ppg) ranks in the top 20 in scoring. In conference action, MSU ranks fourth at 68.9 points per contest.
Big Ten Defense
Michigan State's defense has been very effective in league play, holding opponents to 59.9 points per game, ranking third in the Big Ten. MSU's conference opponents are shooting .388 from the field, ranking second in the league, including .297 from 3-point range, ranking fourth. Overall, MSU leads the Big Ten in field-goal percentage defense (.395).
Bench Production
Michigan State's bench is averaging 26.9 points per game, including 21.0 points in Big Ten play. On average, MSU's bench is out-scoring Big Ten opponents' benches by a 21.0-11.8 margin, including a remarkable 27-3 edge in the first meeting with Minnesota. Draymond Green (10.4 ppg) and Durrell Summers (10.2 ppg) average in double figures off the bench, while Green is also MSU's leading rebounder.
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 19 wins, MSU is averaging just 13.7 turnovers, leading to just 14.0 opponent points. Defensively, MSU is 15-0 when holding teams below 41 percent shooting, but 4-3 when an opponent shoots above 41 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 .376 in victory.
Raymar On The Mark
Despite being held scoreless due to foul issues in his last game vs. Northwestern, Raymar Morgan is averaging 13.4 points, while shooting .683 from the field (28-of-41) in the last five games. He's also averaging 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in that stretch. He's scored in double figures in six of nine league games.
Mr. Clutch
Kalin Lucas knocked down a jumper with 3.5 seconds left to give MSU a 57-56 win at Michigan. Just three days earlier, Lucas hit a 3-pointer with 1:30 left at Minnesota to snap a 62-62 tie in MSU's 65-64 victory. This isn't the first time in his career that Lucas has hit a clutch shot in the game's final moments. In the 2009 Sweet 16 vs. Kansas, Lucas converted on a three-point play with 48 seconds left, snapping a 60-60 tie in MSU's 67-62 victory.
Another Izzo Milestone
Through the first 241 conference games of his head coaching career, Tom Izzo has a winning percentage of .701 (169-72). That ranks him first in Big Ten history among coaches with 10 or more years of service, just ahead of Bob Knight at .701 (353-151).
One-Point Victories
For the first time in Michigan State basketball history, the Spartans have recorded back-to-back one-point road victories (at Minn. 65-64, at Mich. 57-56). Previously, MSU's last one-point Big Ten win came at Minnesota in 2004. The Spartans have not won two Big Ten games by a single point since 1995. The last time MSU won consecutive one-point games came in 1937 (at Geneva, vs. Kentucky).
A Touch Of Green In Big Ten Stats
Draymond Green ranks second in the Big Ten in rebounding (8.0 rpg), third in field-goal percentage (.587) and 11th in steals (1.41 spg). His 1.92 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.
A Program First
For the first time in 60 years of playing Big Ten basketball, Michigan State will play six of eight conference games away from East Lansing. Twice before (1955 & 1975), the Spartans have played six of eight games on the road in the middle of the conference season, but in both cases, at least one of the road games was a non-conference tilt. While it's unusual to have a stretch like this, it's not unheard of, as this is the sixth occurrence since the 1999-2000 season, joining Purdue (1999-2000), Indiana (2002-03), Ohio State (2002-03), Iowa (2003-04) and Michigan (2003-04). In 2001, MSU did play five of six games on the road during its Big Ten championship season.
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 19 of 22 games. He is averaging a team-best 8.0 boards per game, recording double-figure rebounds in seven games. Further demonstrating his versatility, he ranks first on the team in steals (31) and field-goal percentage (.587), second in blocks (20) and third in assists (3.1 apg) and fourth in scoring (10.4 ppg). 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 (25.4 mpg).
Hot Start In League Play
For the first time in 60 seasons of Big Ten basketball, Michigan State has opened league play with an 9-0 record. The previous best conference start was 7-0, established in 1977-78, when Earvin "Magic" Johnson was a Spartan freshman.
Attacking The Offensive Glass
Michigan State is averaging a Big Ten-best 13.77 offensive rebounds per contest, leading to 14.4 second chance points per game. The Spartans are grabbing 40.8 percent of their misses. Michigan State grabbed more offensive boards than its opponent had defensive boards in games against Florida, Wofford and The Citadel. The Spartans are paced in offensive rebounds by Delvon Roe with 2.36 per contest.
Offensive Balance
Michigan State has proven it has several different offensive weapons as four Spartans currently average in double figures. Kalin Lucas paces the Spartan offense at 16.0 points per game, followed by Raymar Morgan (11.1 ppg), Durrell Summers (10.2 ppg) and Draymond Green (10.4 ppg). Chris Allen is just outside that group at 9.3 ppg. MSU has had four or more players score in double figures in 13 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.
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 nine games of the Big Ten season. The Spartans are averaging 71.0 points in four road wins and 67.2 points in five home wins.
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 7.8 minutes or more, including seven at 20.7 minutes or more. Kalin Lucas leads Michigan State with 31.3 minutes per contest after averaging a team-best 31.9 minutes per game last season. The Spartans have also used 12 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.
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 .466 from the field this year, including a team-best .378 from behind the 3-point arc.
On The Mark
As a team, Michigan State is shooting .486 from the floor, ranking second the Big Ten and 15th in the nation (as of Feb. 1). In league play, MSU is shooting .461, ranking third. Individually, six 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 .587 (88-150), ranking third in the Big Ten, just ahead of teammate Raymar Morgan (.562), who ranks fifth.
Better At The Foul Line
Michigan State has struggled at the foul line this season, converting at a .683 percentage. The Spartans, however, are showing improvement recently, hitting .719 percent of their attempts in the last 12 games, raising the team's average from .644 to its current mark. Individually, Durrell Summers ranks sixth in the conference (.815), while Kalin Lucas ranks ninth (.806), including .857 in league play, ranking fifth in the Big Ten.
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 39.5 percent on the season, as only three opponents have shot better than 44 percent. MSU has been equally stingy on its 3-point defense, holding teams to 30.9 percent shooting behind the arc, limiting eight opponents to 25 percent or lower.
Allen Rounds Out His Game
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 (33) and attempted (89) and ranks second in percentage (.371). He's also shooting .435 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 (3.1 rpg), assists (2.4 apg) and steals (0.5 spg). He's also emerged as one of MSU's best perimeter defenders.
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.
Lending A Helping Hand
According to the most recent NCAA statistics (as of Feb. 1), Michigan State ranks third in the nation in assists. With a current average of 18.4 assists per game, the Spartans have recorded an assist on 65.3 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 12 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.) and Durrell Summers (vs. Gonzaga, 21 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Michigan, 10 pts., 10 reb.; vs. Northwestern, 24 points, 10 reb.) each have tallied 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.) has 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 22nd in MSU history with 1,279 points, standing 17 behind Matt Steigenga (1,296 points). Lucas has scored in double figures in 33 straight games, dating back to last season. His teammate, Raymar Morgan, currently ranks 16th in MSU history with 1,423 points. He needs 46 points to pass Charlie Bell (1,468 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 ranks second on the team with 3.7 assists per game and his 2.41 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 1.22 (43 assists, 35 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. 5, PU-No. 8, OSU-No. 13, UW-No. 16).
Life Away From Home
Michigan State is 6-3 away from home this season, including 5-2 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 12 of its last 13 conference road games for the first time in school history. 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.
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). Shannon Brown will be competing in the Slam Dunk Contest at the NBA All-Star Game and Zach Randolph has been selected as a Western Conference reserve for the All-Star Game.
The Book On Tom Izzo
Coach Izzo
In his 14th year, Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan, '77) is 355-140 (.717), and 169-72 (.701) 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 .701 winning percentage in Big Ten games ranks first all-time among league coaches with at least 10 years of service, percentage points ahead of former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700) and Purdue's Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Knight ranks first at .734, followed by Izzo (.717), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712) and Lambert (.709). With 169 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.
