Top Defenses Meet When MSU Travels To Nebraska

1/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Jan. 23, 2015

Michigan State (13-6, 4-2) vs. Nebraska (11-7, 3-3)
Date	Saturday, January 24, 2015
Time	4 p.m. ET
Location	Lincoln, Neb. \| Pinnacle Bank Arena
Television	ESPN (Bob Wischusen, Dan Dakich)
Radio	Spartan Sports Network (Will Tieman, Gus Ganakas, Matt Steigenga)
Tickets	Buy Tickets
Game Notes	Michigan State \| Nebraska
Statistics	Michigan State \| Nebraska
Live Stats
Social Media	@MSU_Basketball \| Facebook \| Instagram
Promotions	Vote For Coach Izzo

THE OPENING TIP
Michigan State travels to Nebraska for the Spartans' first trip to play inside Pinnacle Bank Arena. This is the first of two straight games on the road for MSU, as the Spartans have split their first two Big Ten road contests. In B1G play, Nebraska ranks first in FG% defense, while MSU ranks second.

THE STARTING FIVE
1. Spartan Defense
On the season, MSU is limiting teams to 61.8 points on .383 FG%, including .304 from 3-point range. The Spartans rank second in the Big Ten in FG pct. defense, third in 3-point FG pct. defense, and fifth in scoring defense. In conference games, MSU ranks second in FG pct. defense (.393), fifth in scoring defense (65.2 ppg), and eighth in 3-point FG pct. defense (.333). The all-time lows of the Izzo era were a .379 FG% in 2011-12 and .298 3FG% in 2001-02.

2. Dawson's Defense
Branden Dawson is known for dominating the backboard and his rim-rattling dunks, but he's also among the best defensive players in the conference, as his strength and athleticism give him the versatility to guard nearly any position on the floor. Consider what some of the best players in the Big Ten have done against Dawson: Maryland's Jake Layman (Dec. 30) (Avg. 15.8 ppg entering the game - 4 pts., 2-4 FG, 0-2 3FG, 9 rebs., 36 min.), Indiana's Troy Williams (Jan. 5) (13.6 ppg - 0 pts., 0-2 FG, 1 reb., 17 min.), Iowa's Aaron White (Jan. 8) (17.2 ppg - 8 pts., 2-4 FG, 1-1 3FG, 28 min.). Dawson is the only player to rank in the Top 15 in the Big Ten in blocked shots (t-2nd), steals (t-14th) and defensive rebounds (1st) in conference games.

3. Spartans Strong On The Road
Michigan State owns a Big Ten-best 34-22 (.607) mark in conference road games over the last six-plus seasons (since the start of 2008-09 Big Ten play). Ohio State is 33-25 on the road, while Wisconsin is 30-26.

4. Dawson's Double-Doubles
It's been a good start to Big Ten play for Branden Dawson, as he has already posted double-doubles in four games (Indiana, at Iowa, at Maryland, Penn State). In the other two games, he missed double-doubles by one point (Maryland) and one rebound (Northwestern). Against Iowa, he grabbed 15 rebounds, a personal best against a Big Ten opponent. Dawson has grabbed double-figure rebounds in five of six conference games, averaging a Big Ten-best 11.3 rebounds per game in Big Ten play (9.5 rpg overall). He has five double-doubles this season and 17 for his career.

5. The Costello-Schilling Combination
Junior Matt Costello (7.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and sophomore Gavin Schilling (7.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg) have combined to give Michigan State a solid post presence. The two Spartans average a combined 15.1 points and 10.4 rebounds, shooting .631 (118-187) from the field. Schilling leads the Big Ten in field-goal percentage, while Costello ranks third.

MSU VS. NEBRASKA NOTES
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Nebraska, 12-7, although the Huskers own a 5-4 advantage in games played in Lincoln. The two teams met six times between 1988 and 1994, but did not meet again until the 2011-12 season. MSU has won four of five meetings as Big Ten foes.

Coach Miles
Tim Miles (University of Mary, '89) is 328-258 in his 20th season as a collegiate head coach, including 45-38 in his third season at Nebraska. Prior to his arrival in East Lansing, Miles spent two seasons at Mayville State, four seasons at SW Minnesota State, six seasons at North Dakota State, and most recently, five seasons at Colorado State. In 2011-12, he led the Rams to a 20-12 record, CSU's first 20-win season since 1997-98. He is believed to be the only active coach who has made national tournament appearances at four-year schools at the Division I, Division II and NAIA levels.

The Last Meeting In Lincoln
Michigan State defeated Nebraska, 73-64, on Feb. 16, 2013, in Lincoln. The Spartans got off to a strong start and held a 23-12 lead with 9:12 left in the first half, following Gary Harris' steal and breakaway dunk. Harris then picked up his second foul forcing him to bench. Nebraska took advantage of 10 first-half Spartan turnovers and trailed by just five points at the half, 29-24. In the second half, Nebraska's Shavon Shields scored 12 of the Huskers' first 16 points, cutting the Spartan lead to a single point at 41-40. From that point, MSU went on a 20-6 run over the next 10:22. The Spartans sealed victory by hitting 8-of-10 free throws in the final 1:14. Keith Appling led MSU with 16 points, while Adreian Payne posted a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Dylan Talley led NU with 28 points and Shields added 19 points and 13 rebounds. MSU held a 42-24 edge on the glass and blocked 12 shots.

The Last Meeting
Nebraska defeated Michigan State, 60-51, on Feb. 16, 2014, in East Lansing. The Huskers led by seven at the half, and as many as 11 in the second half. MSU battled back to within two points at 51-49 with under four minutes left. Kenny Kaminski had an open look for three but his attempt was off target. On Nebraska's next possession, Terran Petteway beat the shot clock with a contested 3-pointer over the outstretched arm of Denzel Valentine. Petteway would finish with a game high 23 points, while Walter Pitchford added 18 points, as the duo each hit four 3-pointers. Gary Harris led MSU with 18 points. MSU shot a season-low .340 from the field, while Nebraska hit just 35.8 percent, although the Huskers committed just five turnovers.

Husker Notes
Terran Petteway (18.9) and Shavon Shields (16.4) are the top-scoring duo in the Big Ten, averaging a combined 35.3 points per game, as Petteway ranks third in the conference in scoring and Shields ranks seventh. The duo makes up 54.9 percent of the Huskers' scoring ... Nebraska leads the Big Ten in field-goal percentage defense (.378) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (.297), while ranking second in scoring defense (60.6 ppg).

GM. 19 RECAP • MICHIGAN STATE 66 - PENN STATE 60
Michigan State bounced back from defeat at Maryland to beat Penn State, 66-60. The Spartans got off to a good start, scoring 10 of the game's first 12 points. But Penn State hung around and MSU took a narrow 30-28 lead into the break. The second half featured seven ties, as D.J. Newbill hit two free throws with 4:51 remaining to tie the game at 51. Denzel Valentine gave MSU a lead with a mid-range jumper. Penn State was whistled for an offensive foul on its next possession and PSU coach Pat Chambers received a technical foul protesting the call. Valentine hit one-of-two free throws and Bryn Forbes knocked down a corner 3-pointer to give MSU a 57-51 lead. Branden Dawson then stole the ball from Newbill resulting in a fast-break layup for Trice as MSU took a commanding 59-51 lead. PSU would cut the lead to three points at 59-56, but Matt Costello scored on a layup, and a Dawson block resulted in another Trice layup to give MSU a 63-58 lead.

MSU VS. PENN STATE NOTES
* MSU played its 400th game in Breslin Center history, posting a record of 348-52.
* Branden Dawson recorded three blocks on the night, giving him 101 total for his career, joining Adreian Payne and Draymond Green as the only three players in MSU history with 1,000 career points and 100 career blocks.
* Five different Spartans scored in double-figures for the sixth time this season, as MSU improved to 9-0 when four or more players score in double-digits.
* Gavin Schilling recorded his second-career double-double and his first against a Big Ten opponent.
* For just the second time all season, and the first time in Big Ten play, both Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling scored in double-figures in the same contest.
* MSU grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, leading to a 14-5 edge in second-chance points.
* MSU improved to 21-1 all-time vs. Penn State in East Lansing.

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 481 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).

Big Ten Success
Michigan State has captured at least a share of the Big Ten Championship or a Big Ten Tournament title in four of the last six seasons. After winning the title outright in 2009, the Spartans shared the conference crown in 2010 and 2012. In 2012, MSU also added a Big Ten Tournament title to its resume. Last season, MSU won the Big Ten Tournament after finishing tied for second in the regular season. During Tom Izzo's tenure, the Spartans have won seven regular-season titles and four tournament crowns.

Spartans On Target From Deep
Michigan State is shooting .398 (140-352) from 3-point range this season, ranking second in the Big Ten and 21st in the nation. In conference play, however, MSU is shooting just .337. Bryn Forbes (.465) ranks third in the Big Ten, while Denzel Valentine (.434) ranks seventh in the conference. Marvin Clark Jr. (.382) and Travis Trice (.380) also shoot 38 percent or better from behind the arc.

Keeping The 3-Pointer In Perspective
Michigan State is shooting .398 from 3-point range this season, marking the second-best percentage of the Tom Izzo era. But on-target shooting does not equal an over-reliance on the outside shot. MSU has attempted 352 3-pointers in 1090 field-goal attempts, meaning 32.3 percent of its shots are from behind the arc. That percentage ranks as the fourth-highest percentage of the Izzo era, behind 2013-14 (36.3%), 2004-05 (32.8%), and 2010-11 (32.7%). It's the sixth time in Izzo's 20 seasons that more than 30 percent of the shot attempts have been 3-pointers, joining the 2003-04 (31.2%) and 1999-2000 (31.1%) squads.

Balanced Scoring
Michigan State features a balanced scoring attack with three players averaging in double figures, four averaging 9.6 points or more, and seven players averaging 6.0 points or more. Six different Spartans have led the team in scoring in a single game, as seven different players have scored in double figures at least once. There have been six games in which five Spartans have reached double figures, two more times than all of last season. The Spartans are a perfect 9-0 when four or more players score in double-figures, and just 4-6 when three or fewer Spartans hit double-figures.

Spartans Strong On The Glass
Michigan State owns a Big Ten-best +7.6 rebounding margin, having out-rebounded 15 of 19 opponents, ranking 17th in the nation. In the Tom Izzo era, MSU has out-rebounded 520 of 674 opponents (.772), posting a 412-108 (.792) 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.

Dawson Attacks The Glass
Branden Dawson leads the Big Ten in rebounding at 9.6 boards per contest. In conference games, he's averaging a Big Ten-best 11.3 rebounds, recording double-figure rebounds in five of six games. Over his last 10 games, he's averaging 10.6 boards. Earlier this season, he grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds (nine offensive boards) at Notre Dame. The 18 rebounds are tied for the most by a Spartan since Goran Suton grabbed 20 vs. Oakland in 2007. Dawson's nine offensive rebounds against the Irish are tied for the third-best single-game effort in MSU history (since 1986-87). He pulled down 15 rebounds at Iowa, marking his personal best against a Big Ten opponent. Should Dawson continue to lead the Big Ten in rebounding, he'll be the first player 6-6 or shorter to do it since Wisconsin's Patrick Tompkins in 1991 (overall), and the first to do it in conference games since Minnesota's Richard Coffey in 1988.

All-Time Block Leaders
Branden Dawson ranks fifth in Michigan State history with 101 career blocks, just behind Delvon Roe (106). With three blocks against Penn State he joined Draymond Green and Adreian Payne as the only players in MSU history with 1,000 career points and 100 career blocks. Payne is the MSU career leader with 141 blocks. With 75 blocks in his two-plus seasons, Matt Costello could appear in the Top 10 later in the season. Paul Davis currently ranks 10th with 87 career blocks.

Big Ten Success, Part II
Michigan State has won 13 regular-season Big Ten Championships, including three of the last six, since joining the league prior to the 1950-51 season. The Spartans' first ever league game was at Northwestern, where MSU claimed a 67-62 victory on Jan. 6, 1951. All-time, MSU is 583-463 (.557) in league play, including 225-103 (.686) under Tom Izzo, who ranks fourth in league history with 225 conference wins. Izzo has guided MSU to seven of its 13 league crowns. Since Izzo's first season (1995-96), MSU has a Big Ten-best record of 225-103, 16.5 games better than second-place Wisconsin (208-119).

Izzo Moves Up Big Ten Coaching List
Tom Izzo ranks fourth on the career Big Ten victories list with 225. It's likely that Izzo will rank third by the end of the season, moving past Purdue's Ward Lambert (228 wins). Indiana's Bob Knight is the all-time leader with 353 Big Ten wins, while Gene Keady ranks second with 265 victories. In terms of most wins at a Big Ten institution, Izzo already ranks third with 481, trailing only Knight (661 wins) and Keady (512).

Free Basketball
Michigan State is 1-3 in overtime games this season, as the four overtime games are the most since the Spartans played four during the 2003-04 season. MSU entered the season having won seven straight overtime games dating back to a loss to Minnesota in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament. The last time MSU played more than four overtime games in a season came during the 1987-88 season when it played five.

Trice From Distance
Travis Trice is situated to end his career as one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in MSU history. Midway through his senior year, Trice sits in seventh place in career 3-pointers (153), standing just eight out of sixth (Durrell Summers, 161). With a career 3-point field-goal percentage of .407 (153-376), Trice ranks ninth in MSU history.

A Thin Line Between Victory And Defeat
In four of Michigan State's six defeats, the Spartans have either led or been within a possession in the final minute of the contest, with three of the losses coming in overtime (one in double overtime). Against Kansas, MSU trailed by just three points in the final minute with possession of the ball. At Notre Dame, MSU led by six with under eight minutes left, before falling by a single point in overtime. In an overtime upset loss to Texas Southern, MSU led by eight points with eight minutes to play, and by six with under four minutes to play. In the Big Ten opener, MSU led Maryland by five with under five minutes to play and by four with under two minutes left in overtime, before losing a two-point game in double overtime. Outside of the loss to Texas Southern, MSU has lost five games to four Top 13 teams with a combined mark of 66-10 (through Jan. 22).

Costello Playing Well
Matt Costello is averaging 9.5 points over the last 11 games, in addition to 5.3 rebounds, shooting .632 from the field in 20.0 minutes per contest. Costello started the first six games of the season, averaging 6.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 20.2 minutes, shooting .593 from the field. He's come off the bench in the last 13 games, averaging 8.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 19.0 minutes, shooting .611 from the field. Costello has posted two double-doubles on the season.

Valentine's Continual Improvement
Always known for his versatility, Denzel Valentine has worked hard to become a terrific shooter. After shooting .281 (16-57) from 3-point range as a freshman and improving to .377 (43-114) as a sophomore, Valentine is one of the best shooters in the conference this season. He ranks seventh in the Big Ten in made 3-point field goals per game (2.3) and 3-point field-goal percentage (.434; 43-99). Over the last 15 games, he's shooting .475 from behind the arc (38-80).

Dawson's Injury
Branden Dawson suffered a stable, non-displaced fracture on his left wrist after taking a hard fall in the Dec. 17 contest vs. Eastern Michigan. He missed MSU's next two games vs. Texas Southern (Dec. 20) and The Citadel (Dec. 22). He returned to the lineup against Maryland (Dec. 30), totaling nine points and 11 rebounds, while wearing a brace. He had the brace removed prior to MSU's second game vs. Maryland (Jan. 17). Earlier this season, Dawson missed the game against Santa Clara with the flu, and came off the bench vs. Rider and Marquette while recovering from the same illness.

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 (5.6 apg) and paces the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.6), leading the Spartans in both categories. He is eighth in 3-point field goals made (2.2). His 5.6 assists match Drew Neitzel in 2005-06 as the most by a Spartan since Mateen Cleaves averaged 6.9 as a senior. 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.

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 7.4 made 3-pointers per contest, ranking seventh in the Big Ten. Denzel Valentine leads MSU and ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 43 made 3-pointers (2.3 pg). The Spartans have made eight or more 3-pointers in nine games, including six games with 10 or more.

The 1,000-Point Club
With four points against Eastern Michigan before leaving with a wrist injury, Branden Dawson became the 46th Spartan to reach 1,000 career points at MSU. With 1,078 career points, he ranks 41st in MSU history, needing four points to pass Goran Suton (1,081 points), and 22 to pass Bill Kilgore (1,099 points). Bryn Forbes (1,088 points) has also eclipsed the 1,000-point career mark this season, although 905 of those came in his first two seasons at Cleveland State.

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. This season, MSU is averaging 17.9 assists per game, leading the Big Ten and ranking third in the nation, recording an assist on 65.4 percent of its baskets. In 10 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%; vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff 27 ast., 30 FG - 90.0%; vs. Oakland 25 ast., 34 FG - 73.5%; vs. Eastern Michigan 17 ast., 20 FG - 85.0%; vs. The Citadel 23 ast., 32 FG - 71.9%; vs. Maryland 15 ast., 21 FG - 71.4%; vs. Indiana 21 ast., 28 FG - 75.0%; vs. Iowa 19 ast., 27 FG - 70.4%).

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 190 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 (173), Kentucky (165), Illinois (164), Texas (163), and Duke (162). (Through games of Jan. 22)

Making Up For Lost Time
After missing the first 10 games of the season while recovering from a broken right foot, freshman Javon Bess made his Michigan State debut against Eastern Michigan. The 2014 Ohio Co-Division I Player of the Year, Bess checked in about six minutes into the second half and promptly grabbed a rebound. He finished with five rebounds and one point in just nine minutes of play. He made his first career start at Maryland, totaling six points and four assists in 22 minutes. Through nine games, he's averaging 2.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. His development was further stunted by a pair of sprained ankles suffered since the return from the holiday break, limiting him to just 33 total minutes in the first four Big Ten games.

Double-Double Trouble
Four different Spartans have posted a double-double this season as Branden Dawson (vs. Notre Dame-16 pts., 18 reb.; vs. Indiana-14 pts., 13 reb.; vs. Iowa-14 pts., 15 rebs.; vs. Maryland-14 pts., 10 reb.; vs. Penn State-12 pts., 10 reb.) leads MSU with five. Matt Costello (vs. Loyola-13 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Texas Southern-17 pts., 10 reb.) and Gavin Schilling (vs. Santa Clara-14 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Penn State-11 pts., 10 reb.) have two, while Denzel Valentine (vs. Santa Clara-13 pts., 11 reb.) each have one. For his career, Dawson has 17 double-doubles, while Valentine has totaled five.

MSU's M.A.S.H. Unit
Michigan State has dealt with injury issues for much of the season. Freshman Javon Bess underwent surgery in late October on a broken bone in his right foot. After missing the first 10 games, he made his debut against Eastern Michigan. Two minor ankle sprains since Christmas have further hampered his development. Sophomore Alvin Ellis III suffered a severe 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 did not miss any time, but he played with a brace on his left (non-shooting) hand while recovering from a broken bone for the first 10 games. Senior Branden Dawson missed MSU's game vs. Santa Clara with the flu, which also limited his minutes at the Orlando Classic. Against Eastern Michigan, he suffered a wrist injury that kept him out of action for two games. In total, MSU has lost 19 games due to illness and injury.

Trice Nominated For Good Works Team
Travis Trice is one of 158 male nominees for the 2015 Allstate NABC Good Works Team. This prestigious community service award recognizes a distinguished group of student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to enriching the lives of others and contributing to the greater good in their communities. From the nominees, a distinguished voting panel will select a 10-member team comprised of five student-athletes from the Division I level and five from Divisions II, III and the NAIA.

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 seventh on the team in scoring at 6.0 ppg. Nairn Jr. ranks third on the team with 2.7 assists per game, and has shown remarkable leadership skills for a freshman.

Ranked Opponents
Michigan State is currently not ranked, but is receiving votes in both the USA Today Coaches Poll and the Associated Press Top 25. Seven Spartan opponents are ranked in the Top 25: Duke (No. 5 AP/No. 6 USA Today), Wisconsin (6/5), Notre Dame (8/9), Kansas (11/14), Maryland (13/8), Indiana (23/23) and Iowa (25/-).

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 and the Naismith Award Watch List.

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 481-193 (.714), and 225-103 (.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 (.706), former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700), Ohio State's Thad Matta (.691) and just ahead of former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Matta ranks first at .767, followed by Knight (.734), Ryan (.733), Izzo (.714), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), and Lambert (.709). With 225 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.