Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State Travels To Indiana
2/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
#11/11 Michigan State (20-6, 10-3)
vs. Indiana (9-15, 3-9)
Feb. 16, 2010
7 p.m. EST
Bloomington, Ind.
Assembly Hall
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)
Michigan State Game Notes
Indiana Game Notes
The Opening Tip
Michigan State travels to Indiana as it plays the final game of a stretch that will see the Spartans play six of eight Big Ten games on the road for the first time in program history. MSU looks to build on its Big Ten-best 5-2 mark in league road contests. This will be the 500th game of Tom Izzo's coaching career, as he squares off against Tom Crean, an assistant under Izzo for four seasons.
The Starting Five
1. Reducing The Turnovers
Turnovers have been an issue for Michigan State for much of the year, especially in Spartan losses. But if the last two games are any indication, MSU is getting better in that area of the game, committing nine turnovers in each of the last two games. In fact, Michigan State has committed just nine turnovers in three of the last five contests.
2. Allen Heating Up
In the first 23 games of the season, Chris Allen made four 3-pointers in a game on three occassions. In the last three games, he's made four triples in each contest, connecting on 12-of-19 (.632) attempts from behind the arc. In league play, Allen ranks second in the Big Ten in 3-point field-goal percentage (.449).
3. 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 16.7 points. For his career, Lucas is averaging 14.5 points in 24 conference road games. Over the last two seasons, that average jumps to 17.5 points per contest.
4. Spartans On The Road
Michigan State leads the Big Ten with five road victories, posting a 5-2 mark in league road games to date, a year after going 8-1 on the road. One reason for MSU's success on the road has been its ability to shoot the ball, hitting .485 from the field on the road, compared to .413 in league home games. The success extends out to 3-point range, where MSU is hitting .386, including three games at better than 43 percent. The Spartans have also hit the boards on the road, boasting a +10.7 rebounding margin. Kalin Lucas is averaging 16.7 points on the road, shooting .521 from the field, including .450 from 3-point range.
5. 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.
MSU vs. Indiana Notes
Series History
Indiana leads the all-time series with Michigan State, 64-45, including a 42-11 advantage in Bloomington. Tom Izzo is 15-10 in his career against Indiana.
Coach Crean
Tom Crean (Central Michigan, `89) is 205-136 in his 11th season as a Division I head coach, including 15-40 in his second season at Indiana. Prior to his arrival in Bloomington, Crean spent nine seasons as head coach at Marquette. In 2002-03, he guided Marquette to a 27-6 record, a Conference USA regular-season championship and a Final Four appearance. Prior to becoming the head coach at Marquette, Crean was an assistant for four years (1995-99) under Coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State. While Crean was at MSU under Izzo, the Spartans went 88-41, won two Big Ten regular-season titles and appeared in the 1999 Final Four. Before working for Coach Izzo, Crean coached one season at Pittsburgh (1994-95) and four seasons at Western Kentucky (1990-94) as an assistant. Crean's first assistant position came at MSU in 1989-90, when he worked under Jud Heathcote as the Spartans won the Big Ten Championship and advanced to the Sweet 16.
The Last Meeting
Michigan State defeated Indiana, 64-59, on March 3, 2009, in Bloomington, clinching the Big Ten Championship outright. The Spartans scored the game's first basket and never trailed, extending their lead out to 56-43 with 9:10 left on a Durrell Summers 3-point play. MSU however, would not record another field goal until the game's final minute as IU slowly cut the Spartan lead to two points with 3:31 remaining. Neither team would then score for three minutes. Summers missed a 3-pointer, but Raymar Morgan jumped above everyone for a one-handed rebound dunk to give MSU a 61-57 lead with 27 seconds left. Indiana followed with two free throws, but Kalin Lucas answered with two free throws to give MSU its victory. Lucas finished with a game-high 15, while Morgan added 14. Verdell Jones III led Indiana with 15 points.
Hoosier Notes
Indiana is the second-best offensive rebounding team in the Big Ten, averaging 12.50 offensive boards per contest ... Verdell Jones III is averaging 18.0 points in his last four games ... At 14.6 ppg, Jones is the second-highest scoring sophomore in the Big Ten, while Christian Watford (12.6 ppg) is the highest scoing freshman in the conference ... Tom Pritchard was a high school teammate of Delvon Roe's at St. Edward ... Freshman Maurice Creek was leading the Hoosiers in scoring (16.4 ppg) before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the final non-conference game of the season for the Hoosiers.
Game 26 Recap - MSU 65 - Penn State 54
* In his first start since Feb. 2 when he sprained his ankle at Wisconsin, Kalin Lucas scored a career-high tying 24 points, hitting 10-of-15 shots, adding six assists and three steals.
* After allowing three straight opponents to shoot better than 50 percent from the field, Michigan State's defense held Penn State to 40.9 percent shooting, improving to 16-0 when an opponent shoots below 41 percent.
* Michigan State recorded its 11th 20-win season in the last 13 years.
* For the second straight game, Michigan State committed just nine turnovers.
* Mike Kebler played a career-high 13 minutes, providing a defensive spark off the bench.
* Korie Lucious did not make the trip to University Park because of academic obligations he failed to meet.
* Michigan State's defense held Penn State without a point from the 12:23 mark of the second half until 5:54 remained in the game, going on a 13-0 run.
* Michigan State's defense forced three shot-clock violations.
MSU Basketball Notes
Spartans Draw Big On The Road
Not only has every Michigan State home game been a sellout, the Spartans also prove to be a big draw on the road. The Spartans have played 10 true road games, and nine of the contests have been the largest home attendance for their opponent. Seven of the 10 games were sellouts, while the crowds at The Citadel and Penn State were not sellouts, but were the largest of the season. The only venue where the Spartans did not draw the largest crowd of the year was at Iowa, where the high temperature on the day of the game was in single digits.
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 390 of 499 opponents (.782), posting a 310-80 (.795) mark in those games. This season, MSU has out-rebounded its opponents by a margin of +9.5, ranking second in the nation (as of Feb. 15), bettering 21 of 26 teams, and tying two. The Spartans are 18-3 when out-rebounding an opponent, but 2-3 when failing to do so.
Getting To The Foul Line
Michigan State has done a good job getting to the foul line this season, averaging 21.3 attempts per game, including 20.2 in Big Ten games. In league action, the Spartans have made more free throws (186) than their opponents have attempted (170).
20-Win Seasons
With a 65-54 win at Penn State, Michigan State recorded its 11th 20-win season in the last 13 years, all under head coach Tom Izzo. Of the 19 20-win seasons in Spartan history, Izzo has been involved in 16 of them, 11 as a head coach and five as an assistant.
Green Best On The Boards
One year after Goran Suton paced the Big Ten in rebounding, another Spartan is dominating the boards in conference play. Draymond Green currently leads the league with 8.2 rebounds per Big Ten contest. He's recorded double-figure rebounds in four of 13 league games, including a career-high 16 rebounds at Illinois. The 16 boards were the most by any Spartan in a Big Ten game since Andre Hutson grabbed 16 at Penn State in 2001. The last Spartan sophomore to lead the Big Ten in rebounding was Antonio Smith in 1997 (11.3 rpg).
Appling Named McDonald's All-American
Keith Appling, who signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Michigan State in Nov. 2009, was named to the 2010 McDonald's All-American Team on Feb. 11. Appling is the ninth McDonald's All-American to sign with Michigan State under Tom Izzo, and the first since 2003. Appling is currently averaging 27 points per game for Detroit Pershing High School. The game will be played on March 31 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Bench Production
Michigan State's bench is averaging 25.8 points per game, including 20.7 points in Big Ten play. On average, MSU's bench is out-scoring Big Ten opponents' benches by a 20.7-12.0 margin, including a remarkable 27-3 edge in the first meeting with Minnesota. Draymond Green (10.0 ppg) and Durrell Summers (10.4 ppg) average in double figures off the bench, while Green is also MSU's leading rebounder.
Big Ten Defense
Michigan State's defense has been very effective in league play, holding opponents to 62.6 points per game, ranking fifth in the Big Ten. MSU's conference opponents are shooting .422 from the field, ranking third in the league, including .329 from 3-point range, ranking fifth. Overall, MSU ranks fifth in the Big Ten in field-goal percentage defense (.410).
Morgan On Target
Raymar Morgan ranks second in the Big Ten in field-goal percentage in league games, shooting .552 (53-of-96). Throughout the conference, just 10 players are hitting 50 percent or better in league play.
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 16.0 turnovers in their six losses, including 23 vs. Florida and 22 vs. Texas, leading to 17.5 points for the opponent per game. In 20 wins, MSU is averaging just 13.5 turnovers, leading to just 13.8 opponent points. Defensively, MSU is 16-0 when holding teams below 41 percent shooting, but 4-6 when an opponent shoots above 41 percent. The Spartans are allowing opponents to shoot .523 in their losses, compared to .377 in victory.
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 rank third in the Big Ten in scoring offense at 74.4 points per game. It's a team effort as just one player (Kalin Lucas, 8th-15.8 ppg) ranks in the top 20 in scoring.
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.
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
Overall, Draymond Green ranks third in the Big Ten in rebounding (8.2 rpg), fifth in field-goal percentage (.535) and tied for 11th in steals (1.35 spg). His 1.74 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks eighth in the league, and first among non-guards. He is the only player in the league 6-foot-6 or taller to average more than three assists per game.
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 .470 from the field this year, including .370 from behind the 3-point arc.
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 23 of 26 games. He is averaging a team-best 8.2 boards per game, recording double-figure rebounds in eight games. Further demonstrating his versatility, he ranks first on the team in steals (35), tied for first in blocks (23), second in field-goal percentage (.535), third in assists (3.1 apg) and fourth in scoring (10.0 ppg). He's recorded five double-doubles on the season. And despite coming off the bench in a majority of the contests, he ranks fourth on the squad in minutes per game (25.4 mpg).
Attacking The Offensive Glass
Michigan State is averaging a Big Ten-best 13.50 offensive rebounds per contest, leading to 13.8 second chance points per game. The Spartans are grabbing 40.4 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 Draymond Green with 2.54 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 15.8 points per game, followed by Raymar Morgan (10.4 ppg), Durrell Summers (10.4 ppg) and Draymond Green (10.0 ppg). Chris Allen is just outside that group at 9.8 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.
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 7.6 minutes or more, including seven at 21.2 minutes or more. Kalin Lucas leads Michigan State with 31.0 minutes per contest after averaging a team-best 31.9 minutes per game last season. The Spartans have also used 14 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, Michigan State is shooting .478 from the floor, ranking second in the Big Ten and 24th in the nation (as of Feb. 15). In league play, MSU is shooting .451, ranking fourth. 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 50 attempts, Delvon Roe paces the way at .565 (65-115).
Better At The Foul Line
Michigan State has struggled at the foul line this season, converting at a .690 percentage. The Spartans, however, are showing improvement recently, hitting .721 percent of their attempts in the last 16 games, raising the team's average from .644 to its current mark. Individually, Kalin Lucas ranks eighth in the Big Ten (.803), including .841 in league play, ranking fifth. As a team, MSU is shooting .710 in conference action, ranking sixth.
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, limiting opponents to 41.0 percent on the season, as only six opponents have shot better than 44 percent. MSU has been equally stingy on its 3-point defense, holding teams to 32.4 percent shooting behind the arc, limiting eight opponents to 25 percent or lower.
Hot Start In League Play
For the first time in 60 seasons of Big Ten basketball, Michigan State 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.
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 (45), attempted (109) and percentage (.413). He's also shooting .450 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 (3.0 rpg), assists (2.2 apg) and steals (0.5 spg). He's also emerged as one of MSU's best perimeter defenders.
Lending A Helping Hand
According to the most recent NCAA statistics (as of Feb. 15), Michigan State ranks fifth in the nation in assists. With a current average of 17.6 assists per game, the Spartans have recorded an assist on 64.4 percent of their baskets. It's a team effort as four different Spartans average at least two assists per game.
Double-Double Trouble
At least one Spartan has recorded a double-double in 13 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.; vs. Illinois, 17 pts., 16 reb.) leads the way with five, 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 21st in MSU history with 1,322 points, standing 55 behind Julius McCoy (1,377 points). His teammate, Raymar Morgan, currently ranks 16th in MSU history with 1,449 points. He needs 20 points to pass Charlie Bell (1,468 points).
Lucas On Watch Lists
Kalin Lucas is one of 11 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 3.8 assists per game and his 2.09 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks fifth 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 1.14 (48 assists, 42 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 (PU-No. 4, OSU-No. 9, MSU-No. 11, UW-No. 14).
Life Away From Home
Michigan State is 7-5 away from home this season, including 6-4 on an opponent's home court, with losses at Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Illinois. Four of the Spartans' road games have been against a ranked opponent. MSU has won 13 of its last 16 conference road games. 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 competed in the Sprite 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 356-143 (.713), and 170-75 (.694) 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 .694 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 ahead of Purdue's Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Knight ranks first at .734, followed by Izzo (.713), 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.
