Spartan Hoops Courtside: Northern Iowa Pregame

March 26, 2010

ST. LOUIS - It's ironic that perhaps the biggest smile of Raymar Morgan's career came with a chipped tooth.

You can't hold back raw, pure emotion. The usually reserved Morgan was practically in tears at center court following the second round win over Maryland, hugging Korie Lucious in a bond that will no doubt last a lifetime.

Kalin Lucas, just as withdrawn from public emotion, couldn't join his teammates on the other end of the court, so he hobbled a few steps before finding and embracing Coach Izzo for a prolonged hug.

"I was just happy we won the game - for Korie to hit that shot and to keep the season alive, I just had to thank him," Morgan said of that moment, just minutes after a part of his front tooth chipped off in the closing minutes of the game. "Korie said we weren't going to lose this game. I was so grateful at that point in time. It was just a wonderful thing."

"It was just a real emotional time for everyone," said Lucious, who calmly nailed one of the biggest shots in Michigan State history at the buzzer to beat the Terrapins. "I told him, `I got you man.'"

These are the types of things that happen in March to the Michigan State basketball team. These are the special moments that Izzo talks about the entire season and with enough work, drive and desire, come to fruition.

"There's just something about March," said Izzo. "There's something about practicing in Michigan and it's still light after practice. That means you're practicing in March, the right time of year."

Eleven years ago, in this exact venue in St. Louis, the Spartan basketball program under Izzo officially reached elite status. The top-seeded Spartans defeated Kentucky in the 1999 Midwest Regional final in the Edward Jones Dome, sending MSU to its first Final Four since winning the national championship in 1979.

Michigan State's well documented run of five Final Fours during this span has been nothing short of remarkable. The impressive feat for the program has had one constant during the years - Izzo. And it's what he has learned during these annual trips through March that he tries to instill in his players' mindset all season long.

At Thursday's press conference, a reporter asked why Michigan State has been a part of so many runs in the NCAA Tournament.

"I think it starts really in about October," Izzo began. "I mean, I've always had a brutal schedule early. I've stuck to that, even when I've lost players to the NBA. I've stuck to I said if you're cocky early and you play Texas down there you're going to get it knocked out of you.

"And I think we were a little cocky this year, if you want the truth. And so we schedule well. I think that's one thing we do. Not panic as the year goes on. Realize that it's a long season. It's a marathon, not a sprint. And you want to be perfect every game, but I don't get caught up in that as much."

He then talked about all of the previous players that have been a part of the March magic in East Lansing.

"I enjoy listening to the players that have left, because they're all calling back in March and (saying) you gotta make a run, Coach," said Izzo. "I think our players start believing...It's not me that has to sell it. It's them. Or when they come back for a football game or know Magic is flying in and they know all those things, that's exciting and it's cool, and it's fun.

"But I still give the credit to the players that have been there and left for staying in touch, for my staff who has been really good. And I just try to convince them that it's a marathon and we're not going to let the people in the community or the media or anybody tear you down. I'll do that good enough. But then in tournament time, I think I try to build them up. I just don't want to do it too early. So March seems like a good time to start."

With the team's leading scorer in Lucas on the sideline with a ruptured Achilles and Chris Allen and Delvon Roe playing through injuries, this hobbled group of Spartans is that much more determined to get the victory in Friday's Midwest Regional semifinal against Northern Iowa.

"It's the underdog role and we accept that," Morgan said of playing without Lucas. "It's just that much more motivation."

"He's (Kalin) still with us spiritually, he's here helping guys and trying to help lead Korie to help run the team," said Durrell Summers. "He wanted to be here. He pushed his surgery back so he could be here and support us through the whole run. So hats off to him. And we are all here behind him."

"You have to have that chip on your shoulder when you play basketball," said Roe, who is playing with a torn meniscus in his right knee and practiced for the first time all week on Thursday. "When you're hurt, you have go out there with a little extra motivation and show people you can still be effective."

No matter who the opponent, every step of the way in the NCAA Tournament gets tougher. Northern Iowa will be no different. The determined Panthers have already won a school record 30 games and just toppled top-ranked Kansas. They are making their first Sweet 16 appearance in school history while the Spartans are making their ninth in 13 years.

Tonight, both are battling to reach the Elite Eight. It would be the seventh Elite Eight of Izzo's career. But numbers and history are tossed aside and render themselves meaningless during the actual game. It's about the moment and making plays.

Izzo's experienced these moments for more than a decade with numerous teams, players and coaches. It's why players come to Michigan State, to be a part of the program's ever-evolving story. Izzo wants to share these moments and get across to his players how magical of a month this can be. They are hard to visualize during endless conditioning drills in the offseason, laboring early-morning practices, or grueling weight-lifting sessions. But Izzo knows what lies at the end of the bracket. And his players are starting to feel it as well.

Morgan, who has played in 13 career NCAA Tournament games, said it plainly, but best.

"Just playing in this tournament is a lot of fun," he said.

And really, can anyone disagree with him? Certainly not Izzo, who has made March his time to shine.