Spartans Back At Home Against Ark.-Pine Bluff
12/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| #19/18 Michigan State (5-3) vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-6) | |
| Date | Saturday, December 6, 2014 |
| Time | 2:15 p.m. ET |
| Location | East Lansing, Mich. | Breslin Center |
| Television | BTN (Eric Collins, Greg Kelser) |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Will Tieman, Gus Ganakas, Matt Steigenga) |
| Tickets | Buy Tickets |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
| Statistics | Michigan State |
| Live Stats | |
| Social Media | @MSU_Basketball  | Facebook  |
THE OPENING TIP
Michigan State opens the longest homestand of the Tom Izzo era as it hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday. The Spartans are a perfect 2-0 at Breslin Center this season, but have played fewer home games than every other Big Ten team, which have all played at least four.
THE STARTING FIVE
1. Spartans Welcome Long Homestand
Due to a non-conference schedule that saw MSU open with six of its first eight games away from home, and opening Big Ten play with two home games, Michigan State is opening a stretch of seven straight games at Breslin Center. It's the longest homestand of the Tom Izzo era, and the longest at Michigan State since 1942 (Jan. 2-Jan. 26). The longest previous homestand of the Izzo era came when MSU opened the 2000-01 season with six straight home games.
2. Spartans Back At Home
Michigan State is playing just its third home game of the season as it hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Spartans are the only ranked team to have played six of their first eight games away from home. MSU is also the only Big Ten team to play six games away from home. The average number of road/neutral contests for other Big Ten teams is 2.5. In fact, Penn State is the only other school to play as many as four. Michigan State and Nebraska are the only two conference teams to play two true road games.
3. Dawson Attacks The Glass
Branden Dawson grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds at Notre Dame, eclipsing his previous high of 13 established last season vs. Oakland. The 18 rebounds are also the most by a Spartan since Goran Suton grabbed 20 vs. Oakland in 2007. Dawson's nine offensive rebounds are tied for the third-best single-game effort in MSU history (since 1986-87). He currently leads the Big Ten in rebounding at 9.3 boards per contest.
4. Valentine Brings Florida Heat Up North
Joined by teammate Travis Trice on the Orlando Classic All-Tournament Team, Denzel Valentine had an exceptional Thanksgiving weekend in Florida. In three games, Valentine averaged a team-best 19.3 points, shooting .543 (19-35) from the field and .609 (14-23) from 3-point range. He scored a career-high 19 points in the quarterfinals vs. Rider, only to better that effort one night later with 25 points against Marquette. His solid play continued at Notre Dame, scoring a team-high 22 points, shooting 7-of-13, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He's averaging 20.0 points and shooting .600 (18-30) from 3-point range in the last four games.
5. Breslin Advantage
Michigan State is 341-50 (.872) at home all-time since Breslin Center opened in 1989, including 177-38 (.823) in Big Ten play. Under Tom Izzo, the Spartans are 267-35 (.884) at Breslin, including a 136-25 (.845) conference record. MSU has won 48 of the last 54 (.887) games at Breslin.
MSU VS. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF NOTES
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 1-0, defeating the Golden Lions, 76-44, on Dec. 5, 2012.
MSU Vs. The SWAC
Michigan State is 7-0 against teams currently in the SWAC, including 1-0 vs. Alabama State, 1-0 vs. Alcorn State, 1-0 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 1-0 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 1-0 vs. Prairie View A&M, and 2-0 vs. Texas Southern.
Coach Ivory
George Ivory (Mississippi Valley State, '88) is 79-118 in his seventh season at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. A four-year starter at MVSU, Ivory ranks among the scool leaders in scoring, steals, assists, minutes and games played, earning Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-SWAC, SWAC Tournament MVP and Player of the Year accolades during his career. Prior to becoming head coach of the Golden Lions, Ivory served as an assistant for Jackson State (women), Mississippi Valley State, Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The Last Meeting
Michigan State defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 76-44, on Dec. 5, 2012. It was a balanced effort for the Spartans, as nine players scored six points or more, but no one scored more than 13, as Gary Harris paced the Spartans. MSU scored the first 14 points of the game, not allowing UAPB to score a basket until 10:12 remained in the half. With 2:34 left in the half, MSU held a 33-5 lead. The Spartans shot 50 percent from the field, while also grabbing 19 offensive rebounds, compared to just 14 defensive boards for UAPB.
Golden Lion Notes
Arkansas-Pine Bluff is opening the season with 14 straight games away from Pine Bluff in eight different states ... Leading scorer Marcel Mosely (16.1 ppg) ranks third in the SWAC in scoring ... Tevin Hammond leads the SWAC in steals, averaging 2.6 per contest ... The Golden Lion roster features one player from Detroit: senior guard Jaylon Floyd (Community Day).
GM. 8 RECAP • NOTRE DAME 79 MICHIGAN STATE 78, OT
Notre Dame defeated Michigan State, 79-78, in overtime in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Both teams shot 50 percent from 3-point range in the first half, as the Fighting Irish held a slim two-point advantage. The Spartans threatened to pull away midway through the second half, holding a seven-point lead twice, but the Irish always had an answer, and a 7-0 run gave Notre Dame a 64-61 lead with 4:06 remaining. Denzel Valentine hit two 3-pointers in the final 2:03, sandwiched around one from ND's Jerian Grant to send the game into overtime tied at 67. MSU did have the ball with an opportunity to take the final shot, but a turnover cost it that chance. The Irish scored seven of the first nine points of overtime, and held on for the win by making 8-of-9 foul shots in the extra period.
MSU VS. NOTRE DAME NOTES
* MSU fell to 6-9 in ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
* Branden Dawson grabbed a career-best 18 rebounds, the most by a Spartan since 2007.
* Dawson's nine offensive rebounds tied the third-best effort in MSU history (since 1986-87).
* The loss snapped MSU's streak of seven-straight wins in overtime games, dating back to a loss in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament.
* Notre Dame hit 20-of-25 foul shots, compared to just 5-of-9 for Michigan State, marking season lows for free throws made and attempted for the Spartans.
* MSU grabbed half of its missed shots, collecting 18 offensive rebounds, compared to 18 defensive rebounds for ND.
* Notre Dame held a decisive 16-4 advantage in points off turnovers, committing just four turnovers, compared to 12 for Michigan State.
* The contest featured a season-high nine ties and 11 lead changes.
MSU BASKETBALL NOTES
Izzo's 20th Season
In his 20th season as Michigan State head coach, the 2014-15 campaign is Tom Izzo's 32nd year in East Lansing. An eight-time National Coach of the Year, Izzo has guided MSU to seven Big Ten Championships, four Big Ten Tournament titles, 17 straight NCAA Tournaments, six Final Four appearances, and the 2000 NCAA Championship in his stint as head coach. He is MSU's all-time winningest coach with 473 wins, and is the longest serving active men's basketball coach in the Big Ten. In addition, his 468 victories are the fourth-most by a coach in his first 19 years of coaching in NCAA history. The only high-major coaches with longer active tenures at one school are Syracuse's Jim Boeheim (39th season) and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (35th season).
Forbes Healing Nicely
Bryn Forbes has been playing with a broken bone in his left (non-shooting) hand this season. Through the first two games, he shot .286 (4-14) from 3-point range while playing with a larger brace. Healing in the hand has allowed him to use a smaller brace beginning with the Loyola contest. In the five games that followed, he shot .500 (10-20) from behind the arc. Forbes' brace was reduced in size once again before the Notre Dame contest, as he was a perfect 7-of-7 from the field against the Fighting Irish, including 4-of-4 from 3-point range.
Improvement At The Charity Stripe
Michigan State struggled from the foul line through the first four games of the season, shooting just .540 (27-50). Over the last four games, however, MSU is shooting .729 (43-59).
Spartans Strong On The Glass
MSU owns a Big Ten-best +8.1 rebounding margin, having out-rebounded six of eight opponents. In the Tom Izzo era, MSU has out-rebounded 511 of 663 opponents (.771), posting a 404-107 (.791) mark in those games. The Spartans have led the nation in rebounding in four of the last 15 seasons (2000, 2001, 2009, 2010), ranking in the Top 10 nine times and the Top 25 on 12 occasions. MSU has led the Big Ten in rebounding margin in conference games in 11 of the last 17 years.
Spartans On Target From Deep
Michigan State is shooting .432 (73-169) from 3-point range this season, including .462 (60-130) over the last six contests. Freshman Marvin Clark Jr., is 11-of-22 from behind the arc, leading MSU and ranking fifth in the conference. Bryn Forbes (.474), Denzel Valentine (.469), and Travis Trice (.400) are all at 40 percent or better.
Starting Suits Trice Nicely
In his first year as a primary starter, senior Travis Trice is proving he is up to the challenge. He ranks second in the Big Ten in assists (5.8 apg) and 3rd in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.2), pacing the Spartans in both categories. He is tied for sixth in 3-point field goals made (2.5). Trice entered the year having started just eight games in his career, but he did average 9.3 points and 3.6 assists in those eight games last season.
Spartan Defense
Over the last six games, Michigan State is holding opponents to 59.5 points and a .359 FG%, including .274 from 3-point range. On the season, MSU is limiting teams to 62.1 points on .385 FG%, including .299 from 3-point range.
Long Range Firepower
Michigan State established a school single-season record in 2013-14 with 307 made 3-pointers, 54 more than the previous school record. The Spartans made 10 or more 3-pointers in 14 games, including a school single-game record 17 at Purdue, tying the Big Ten record for a conference game. This season, MSU is averaging 9.1 made 3-pointers per contest, ranking fourth in the Big Ten. Denzel Valentine leads MSU with 23 made 3-pointers, ranking third in the conference (2.9 pg). The Spartans have made eight or more 3-pointers in six of eight games, including three games with 12.
Playing The Best
Since the 1997-98 season, the year of Michigan State's first of 17 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans have played 188 games against ranked opponents. That total ranks first among teams that have appeared in a Final Four since then. The Spartans are followed by North Carolina (169), Kentucky (162), Illinois (161), Duke (161) and Texas (160). (Through games of Dec. 5)
Spartans Share The Ball
Unselfishness is a trademark of all Tom Izzo teams. That was never on display more than it was last year, as the Spartans established a school single-season record with 637 assists, leading the Big Ten with 16.76 assists per game. For the year, MSU is averaging 16.6 assists per game, recording an assist on 59.4 percent of its baskets. In three games, MSU has recorded an assist on more than 70 percent of its baskets (vs. Navy 18 ast., 25 FG - 72.0%; vs. Loyola 27 ast., 36 FG-75.0%; vs. Santa Clara 22 ast., 29 FG - 75.9%).
Dawson Approaches 1,000 Points
With 971 career points, Branden Dawson is poised to become the next member of Michigan State's 1,000-point club early this season. He'll become the 46th Spartan to reach that milestone. Current Spartan Bryn Forbes has 986 career points, but 905 came in his first two seasons at Cleveland State.
MSU's M.A.S.H. Unit
Michigan State is dealing with some injury issues in the early portion of its non-conference schedule. Freshman Javon Bess underwent surgery in late October on a broken bone in his right foot and is out until mid-late December. Sophomore Alvin Ellis III suffered a sprained right ankle after just three minutes against Navy and did not return to action until playing five minutes against Notre Dame. Junior Bryn Forbes has not missed any time, but is playing with a broken bone in his left (non-shooting) hand. Senior Branden Dawson missed MSU's game vs. Santa Clara with the flu, which also limited his minutes at the Orlando Classic. In total, MSU has lost 15 games due to illness and injury.
Double-Double Trouble
Four different Spartans have posted a double-double this season as Matt Costello (vs. Loyola-13 pts., 11 reb.), Branden Dawson (vs. Notre Dame-16 pts., 18 reb.), Gavin Schilling (vs. Santa Clara-14 pts., 11 reb.) and Denzel Valentine (vs. Santa Clara-13 pts., 11 reb.) each have one. For his career, Dawson has 13 double-doubles, while Valentine has totaled five
All-Time Block Leaders
Branden Dawson ranks eighth in Michigan State history with 89 career blocks, just behind Goran Suton (90), Ken Johnson (96) and Matt Steigenga (97). Adreian Payne is the MSU career leader with 141 blocks. With 64 blocks in just over two seasons, Matt Costello could appear in the Top 10 later in the season.
MSU's Sunrise Connection
Freshmen Marvin Clark Jr. and Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr., both products of Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, are making big contributions as Spartan freshmen. Clark Jr. ranks sixth on the team in scoring at 6.9 ppg, and leads the Spartans in 3-point field-goal percentage, connecting on .500 (11-of-22) of his attempts. Nairn Jr. ranks third on the team with 3.3 assists per game, and has shown remarkable leadership skills for a freshman.
Preseason All-American
Branden Dawson was named a preseason first-team All-American by The Sporting News. He was a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection as chosen by Lindy's Sports and Sporting News. ESPN.com ranked Dawson No. 15 in its player rankings, while ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman named him a third-team All-American. Dawson was also selected to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 list. He is one of seven Big Ten players on the Wooden list, as he is joined by Indiana's Yogi Ferrell, Maryland's Dez Wells, Michigan's Caris LeVert, Nebraska's Terran Petteway, and Wisconsin's Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky.
MSU In The Rankings
Michigan State is currently ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 18 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Seven Spartan opponents are ranked in the Top 25: Wisconsin (No. 2 AP/No. 4 USA Today), Duke (4/2), Kansas (11/11), Ohio State (14/13), Michigan (17/16), Maryland (21/22) and Illinois (24/25).
Prep Teammates
Michigan State's roster features three pairs of high school teammates. Junior Denzel Valentine has been reunited with high school classmate Bryn Forbes, who spent his first two seasons at Cleveland State. The duo teamed to appear in three-straight Michigan Class B title games from 2010-2012, capturing the state championship in 2011 and 2012. Forbes transferred to MSU this past June, and later received a waiver from the NCAA allowing him to play this season. Freshmen Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. and Marvin Clark Jr. both attended Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. They were teammates during the 2012-13 season, posting a 29-1 record, with Clark as a senior and Nairn as a junior. Clark then did a year of prep school at Sunrise Christian last season, while Nairn finished his high school career. Sophomores Alvin Ellis III and Gavin Schilling were teammates at Chicago De La Salle as juniors in 2011-12. Ellis graduated from De La Salle, while Schilling spent his final season at Findlay Prep in Nevada. In addition, although Branden Dawson (Indiana) and Travis Trice (Ohio) attended high school in different states, they were AAU teammates for SYF Players over the summer.
Big Ten Schedule
Moving to a 14-team conference for 2014-15, each Big Ten team will play five schools twice, four schools on the road, and four schools at home. Michigan State will go home and home with Maryland, Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan, and Illinois. The Spartans will host Penn State, Ohio State, Minnesota, and Purdue, while traveling to Iowa, Nebraska, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Eight of Michigan State's 13 Big Ten opponents appeared in the 2014 postseason, including five in the NCAA Tournament (Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Wisconsin), two in the NIT (Illinois, Minnesota) and one in the CBI (Penn State).
Spartans In The NBA
Michigan State leads all Big Ten schools with eight players appearing on NBA rosters this season. Gary Harris (Denver) and Adreian Payne (Atlanta) are in their rookie seasons after being selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft. They join former Spartans Alan Anderson (Brooklyn), Shannon Brown (Miami), Draymond Green (Golden State), Zach Randolph (Memphis) and Jason Richardson (Philadelphia) in the NBA. Kalin Lucas (Memphis) signed a free-agent contract in November and appeared in his first career game on Nov. 19.
Spartans Sign Strong Recruiting Class
Michigan State signed three talented players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. Kyle Ahrens (G, 6-5, 195) led Versailles (Ohio) High School to the Ohio Division III state title game as a sophomore. He was averaging 22 points, seven rebounds as four assists as a junior before suffering a season-ending leg injury in the sixth game of the season. Deyonta Davis (F/C, 6-10, 215) is a five-star big man who averaged 15.0 points, 13.6 rebounds and 7.1 blocks as a junior at Muskegon High School, leading his team to a perfect 28-0 mark and a Michigan Class A state championship. He established a Michigan state high school single-season record with 199 blocks in 2013-14. Matt McQuaid (G, 6-5, 180) averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds as a junior at Duncanville (Texas) High School. He exploded during the off season, averaging 15.6 points in the 2014 Nike EYBL circuit, shooting 45.1 percent from 3-point range. ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman called him "arguably the best pure shooter in the country."
The Book On Tom Izzo
Coach Izzo
In his 20th year, Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan, '77) is 473-190 (.713), and 221-101 (.686) in the Big Ten, as the head coach of the Michigan State basketball program. He ranks as the winningest coach in Michigan State history, having passed his mentor Jud Heathcote with his 341st career victory on Nov. 28, 2009. In his 19 full seasons as a head coach, Izzo has captured eight National Coach of the Year awards, including the Clair Bee Award in 2005 and NABC honors in 2001 and 2012. 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 also earned National Coach of the Year accolades from CBSSports.com in 2012. He earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 1998, 2009 and 2012.
Among The Big Ten's Best
Tom Izzo's .686 winning percentage in Big Ten games ranks fourth all-time among league coaches with at least 10 years of service, behind Wisconsin's Bo Ryan (.703), former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700), and Ohio State's Thad Matta (.695) and ahead of former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Matta ranks first at .769, followed by Knight (.734), Ryan (.729), Izzo (.713), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), and Lambert (.709). With 221 conference victories, Izzo ranks fourth all-time.
Izzo Among Best Ever
Through his first 19 seasons, Tom Izzo won 468 games, ranking fourth in college basketball history for most wins by a college coach in his first 18 years.
Izzo's Coaching Tree
Three current Division I head coaches all served as assistants to Tom Izzo, including Tom Crean (Indiana), Brian Gregory (Georgia Tech), and Mark Montgomery (Northern Illinois). Stan Heath has been a head coach for 12 seasons, with stints at Kent State, Arkansas and South Florida. Mike Garland served as head coach at Cleveland State for three seasons and Stan Joplin, an assistant during Izzo's first season, spent 12 seasons as head coach at Toledo. Jim Boylen was head coach at Utah for four years. Doug Wojcik spent nine seasons between Tulsa and College of Charleston.
