Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State Hosts Minnesota Thursday
2/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| Michigan State (19-8, 10-4) vs. Minnesota (16-12, 5-10) | |
| Date | Thursday, February 26, 2015 |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| Location | East Lansing, Mich. | Breslin Center |
| Television | BTN (Gus Johnson, Jim Jackson) |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Will Tieman, Gus Ganakas, Matt Steigenga) |
| Tickets | Buy Tickets |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Minnesota |
| Statistics | Michigan State | Minnesota |
| Live Stats | | Live Stats (Mobile Users) |
| Social Media | @MSU_Basketball  | Facebook  | Instagram |
THE OPENING TIP
Michigan State hosts Minnesota in the only regular-season meeting between the Spartans and Gophers. It's the third straight meeting between the two teams to be played in East Lansing. Of MSU's final four games, three of them will be against first-time opponents this season.
THE STARTING FIVE
1. Spartan Defense
On the season, MSU is limiting teams to 61.1 points on .384 FG%, including .297 from 3-point range. The Spartans lead the Big Ten in FG pct. defense and 3-point FG pct. defense, while ranking second in scoring defense. In conference games, MSU also ranks first in FG pct. defense (.390), and 3-point FG pct. defense (.305), and second in scoring defense (61.9 ppg). The all-time lows of the Izzo era were a .379 FG% in 2011-12 and .298 3FG% in 2001-02.
2. Spartans Streaking
Michigan State has won four straight games, and six of its last seven. Over the four-game winning streak, MSU is allowing just 55.0 points, as opponents are shooting just .371, including .257 from 3-point range. In addition, MSU is shooting .497 from the field, .397 from 3-point range, and .737 from the foul line. MSU's top three scorers, Travis Trice (16.3 ppg), Branden Dawson (14.5 ppg), and Denzel Valentine (14.3 ppg) are averaging a combined 45.0 points. The streak includes three road wins and a home win over a ranked Ohio State squad.
3. MSU Attacks The Offensive Glass
In Big Ten play, Michigan State averages a conference-best 11.7 offensive rebounds per contest. The Spartans grab 35.1 percent of their missed shots in conference games, ranking third in the Big Ten. MSU is averaging 12.4 second-chance points in Big Ten play, outscoring opponents by +4.3 points per game.
4. Tum Tum In The Starting Lineup
Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. has started five games this season, including the last four. In his starts, Nairn is averaging 4.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 30.0 minutes per contest. Furthermore, he is shooting .600 (9-of-15) from the field. In his last four starts in MSU's four-game winning streak, he's averaging 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. MSU is 5-0 when Nairn starts.
5. Trice Off The Bench
While Tum Tum Nairn Jr. has moved into the starting lineup for the last four games, Travis Trice has assumed the role of a Morris Peterson and Draymond Green, former Spartans that starred off the bench. In the last four contests, Trice is MSU's leading scorer at 16.3 points per game, including shooting .474 (9-of-19) from behind the arc, while averaging 4.8 assists.
MSU VS. MINNESOTA NOTES
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Minnesota, 65-58, including a 41-19 advantage in games played in East Lansing. This is the third-straight meeting between the Spartans and Golden Gophers to be played in Breslin Center, as MSU has not played at Williams Arena since December 2012. The Spartans have won 14 of the last 16, 19 of the last 22, and 24 of the last 29 meetings. MSU has won the last 15 meetings at Breslin Center. Tom Izzo has a 27-9 all-time record against the Golden Gophers.
Coach Pitino
Richard Pitino (Providence, 2005) is 59-39 in his third season as a collegiate head coach, including 41-25 in his second season with Minnesota. Last season, he led Florida International to its first winning season since 2000. The year before, he was associate head coach under his father Rick at Louisville, helping guide the Cardinals to the 2012 Final Four, beating No. 1 seed Michigan State in the Sweet 16. His career also includes stints as an assistant at Northeastern (2006), Duquesne (2007), Louisville (2008-09) and Florida (2010-11).
The Last Meeting
Michigan State defeated Minnesota, 87-75 in overtime, on Jan. 11, 2014, in East Lansing. Minnesota shot 51.9 percent from the floor in the first stanza, including 58.3 percent from 3-point range, to hold a 41-36 halftime lead. Minnesota made five of its first six shots over the opening 4:03 of the half in taking a 53-43 lead. The Gophers, however, would not make another field goal for the next 13:20 or score a point in the next 7:51, as MSU went on a 15-0 run, claiming a 58-53 lead with 8:24 remaining. The Spartans led by five points at 71-66 with 21 seconds remaining, but Minnesota quickly hit a 3-pointer. Gary Harris then missed two free throws and DeAndre Mathieu tied the game on a driving layup before the final buzzer. The Spartans were strong in the extra period, scoring the first nine points, en route to out-scoring the Gophers, 16-4, in overtime. MSU committed just seven turnovers, including two after halftime. Keith Appling led MSU with 24 points, and Gary Harris added 19, while Adreian Payne missed the game due to injury. Andre Hollins led Minnesota with 24 points.
Golden Gopher Notes
Minnesota leads the Big Ten and ranks third in the nation with 10.1 steals per game ... DeAndre Mathieu (2.1 spg), Carlos Morris (1.9 spg), and Nate Mason (1.9 spg) rank first, second, and third in the Big Ten in steals ... Andre Hollins ranks second in the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made with 2.6 per contest, including 2.8 in Big Ten games (1st).
GM. 27 RECAP • MICHIGAN STATE 60 - ILLINOIS 53
Michigan State used clutch foul shooting and displayed great toughness in a 60-53 win at Illinois. MSU scored the first five points, but Illinois scored the next 12 and held a 14-9 edge midway through the first half. Branden Dawson followed with a dunk and Bryn Forbes hit a transition 3-pointer and another fast break basket to give MSU a 16-14 lead. The Illini would reclaim a 22-18 lead, but MSU closed the half on a 8-0 run over the final 3:12, including six points from Travis Trice. MSU's lead hovered between three and six points for most of the second half until Denzel Valentine hit a 3-pointer with 5:56 left to give MSU a 49-41 lead. Trice followed with a free throw and a driving layup to push MSU's lead out to 11 points at 52-41 lead. The Spartans committed six turnovers in the final 4:05, but also hit 6-of-6 in the final 1:17 to secure the victory.
MSU VS. ILLINOIS NOTES
* Branden Dawson, Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine combined to score 51 of MSU's 60 points.
* Trice and Valentine combined to score 28 of MSU's 34 second-half points.
* MSU shot a season-high 85.0 percent from the foul line, after shooting 7-of-18 in the first meeting, including missing the front end of two 1-and-1's.
* Travis Trice made 10 free throws in 12 attempts, both of which were career highs for Trice, and season highs for the Spartans.
* The visiting team won for the fourth-straight time in the series.
* The game was decided by 10 points or less for the 18th time in the last 19 games.
* Michigan State held Illinois without a field goal for a span of 8:58 in the second half, as the Illini scored 14 straight points from the foul line at one point.
* The Spartans held Illinois to 12.5 percent from 3-point range, a season-low for the Illini.
* With its fifth Big Ten road win, the Spartans clinched a winning conference road record for the fourth straight season, and the sixth time in the last seven years.
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 487 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).
Izzo Moves Up Big Ten Coaching List
Tom Izzo ranks third on the career Big Ten victories list with 231. He moved into sole possession of third place with win No. 229 vs. Ohio State, passing former Purdue coach 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 487, trailing only Knight (661 wins) and Keady (512).
Dawson's Double-Doubles
Branden Dawson has posted double-doubles in eight of 14 Big Ten games (Indiana, at Iowa, at Maryland, Penn State, at Rutgers, Michigan, Ohio State, at Michigan), leading all Big Ten players in conference games. Against Nebraska, he grabbed 18 rebounds, a personal best against a Big Ten opponent. Dawson has grabbed double-figure rebounds in 11 of 14 conference games, averaging a Big Ten-best 11.0 rebounds per game in Big Ten play (10.0 rpg overall). He has nine double-doubles this season and 21 for his career.
20-Win Seasons
With its next victory, MSU will record its 15th 20-win season in the last 18 years, all under head coach Tom Izzo. Of the previous 22 20-win seasons in Spartan history, Izzo has been involved in 19 of them, 14 as a head coach and five as an assistant.
Breslin Advantage
Michigan State is 350-53 (.868) at home all-time since Breslin Center opened in 1989, including 182-40 (.820) in Big Ten play. Under Tom Izzo, the Spartans are 276-38 (.879) at Breslin, including a 141-27 (.839) conference record.
Spartans Strong On The Road
Michigan State owns a Big Ten-best 38-23 (.617) mark in conference road games over the last six-plus seasons (since the start of 2008-09 Big Ten play). Wisconsin is 34-27 on the road, while Ohio State is 34-28.
Dawson In Elite Group
Branden Dawson and Draymond Green are the only players in Michigan State history to rank in Top 10 in Spartan career rebounds, blocks and steals. Dawson currently ranks third in career blocks (121), eighth in career steals (153), and ninth in career rebounds (823).
Valentine's Versatility
Denzel Valentine is arguably the most versatile player in the Big Ten and the numbers provide the evidence. The Spartan junior is the only player to rank in the Top 15 in the Big Ten in scoring (13th), rebounding (12th) and assists (8th). He also ranks in the Top 15 in 3-point field-goal percentage (10th), 3-point field goals made (3rd), assist-to-turnover ratio (11th), and defensive rebounds (6th).
Dawson Climbs Rebounding Chart
Branden Dawson is on pace to finish among the all-time leaders in Michigan State career rebounding. With 823 career boards, he ranks ninth in MSU history, 12 behind Andre Hutson (835 rebounds) in eighth place, and 64 behind Goran Suton (887 rebounds) in seventh place.
Valentine Regains The Outside Touch
In 13 non-conference games, Denzel Valentine shot .500 (35-70) from 3-point range. In the first eight conference games, he shot just .289 (13-45), making two or more 3-pointers in just four games, including just two with more than two. Beginning with the first Michigan contest, he's shown signs of regaining the early season form, shooting .422 (19-45) over the last six games, hitting four or more 3-pointers in four of the last six games, including five vs. Ohio State.
Dawson's Defense
Branden Dawson is 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), Indiana's Troy Williams (Jan. 5) (13.6 ppg - 0 pts., 0-2 FG, 1 reb.), Iowa's Aaron White (Jan. 8) (17.2 ppg - 8 pts., 2-4 FG, 1-1 3FG), Michigan's Zak Irvin (Feb. 1) (13.6 ppg - 11 pts., 5-14 FG, 1-6 3FG). He is the only player to rank in the Top 15 in the Big Ten in steals (t-10th, 1.3 spg), blocks (7th, 1.5 bpg) and defensive rebounds (1st, 6.8 drpg). In conference games, he ranks 10th in steals (1.3 spg), second in blocks (2.2 bpg) and first in defensive rebounds (7.5 drpg).
A Hall Of Fame Coach
On Thursday, February 12, Tom Izzo was formally inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. The rest of the class included recently retired New York Yankees great and Kalamazoo-raised Derek Jeter (not in attendance due to flight issues), Detroit Red Wings forward Sergei Fedorov, University of Michigan All-American and Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, NHL All-Star and Westland native Mike Modano, Livonia's four-time Olympian, and gold-medal winning swimmer Sheila Taormina and Aleta Sill, from Dearborn, the nation's first female professional bowler to reach $1 million in winnings. Detroit Lions All-Pro defensive tackle Doug English was also named in a special selection by the Hall's Legends Council. Izzo is also a member of the Northern Michigan, Upper Peninsula and the National Italian-American Sports Halls of Fame.
Keeping The 3-Pointer In Perspective
Michigan State is shooting .392 from 3-point range this season, tied for the third-best percentage of the Tom Izzo era. But on-target shooting does not equal an over-reliance on the outside shot. MSU has attempted 510 3-pointers in 1516 field-goal attempts, meaning 33.6 percent of its shots are from behind the arc. That percentage ranks as the second-highest percentage of the Izzo era, behind 2013-14 (36.3%). 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 2004-05 (32.8%), 2010-11 (32.7%), 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 9.1 points or more, and six players averaging more than six points per game. 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 10-0 when four or more players score in double-figures, and just 9-8 when three or fewer Spartans hit double-figures.
Spartans Strong On The Glass
Michigan State owns a Big Ten-best +8.2 rebounding margin, having out-rebounded 22 of 27 opponents, ranking 12th in the nation. In the Tom Izzo era, MSU has out-rebounded 527 of 682 opponents (.773), posting a 417-110 (.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.
Dawson Attacks The Glass
Branden Dawson leads the Big Ten in rebounding at 10.0 boards per contest. In conference games, he's averaging a Big Ten-best 11.0 rebounds, recording double-figure rebounds in 11 of 14 conference games. Twice this season, he's grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds - at Nebraska and 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). The 18 rebounds at Nebraska mark a 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.
Spartans On Target From Deep
Michigan State is shooting .392 (200-510) from 3-point range this season, ranking second in the Big Ten and 26th in the nation. In conference play, MSU is shooting .364, ranking fourth. Bryn Forbes (.438) ranks third in the Big Ten, while Denzel Valentine (.419) ranks 10th.
Big Ten Players Of The Week
Branden Dawson and Travis Trice have each earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors this season. Trice was honored on Nov. 17 after scoring 25 points in the season opener at Navy. He was honored a second time on Jan. 12, after averaging 21.5 points and 7.0 assists vs. Iowa and Northwestern, including posting a double-double against the Wildcats. Dawson was honored on Feb. 2 after averaging 18.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.0 blocks on the road at Rutgers and at home against Michigan.
The Costello-Schilling Combination
Junior Matt Costello (7.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and sophomore Gavin Schilling (6.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg) have combined to give MSU a solid post presence. The two Spartans average a combined 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds, shooting .615 (144-234) from the field.
All-Time Block Leaders
Branden Dawson is third in Michigan State history with 121 career blocks, 13 behind Drew Naymick (134 blocks) in second place. Dawson ranks seventh in the Big Ten overall (1.5 bpg) and second in conference games (2.2 bpg), averaging 2.9 over the last seven games. With three blocks against Penn State Dawson 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 86 blocks, Matt Costello is one block outside the Top 10. Paul Davis currently ranks 10th with 87 career blocks.
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.
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 589-465 (.559) in league play, including 231-105 (.688) under Tom Izzo, who ranks third in league history with 230 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 231-105, 14 games better than second-place Wisconsin (217-119).
Julius Erving Award Candidates
Branden Dawson and Denzel Valentine are two of 15 candidates for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. By early March, the current list will be narrowed down to five players. Among the other candidates are Wisconsin's Sam Dekker and Nebraska's Terran Petteway from the Big Ten.
Trice From Distance
Travis Trice is situated to end his career as one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in MSU history. Trice sits in sixth place in career 3-pointers (170), 32 behind Maurice Ager in fifth place. With 424 career 3-point attempts, Trice ranks eighth, nine behind Durrell Summers (433).
A Thin Line Between Victory And Defeat
In six of Michigan State's eight 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. At Nebraska, MSU rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to pull within three points and then two points in the final minute. Against Illinois, MSU trailed by three points in the final minute, with four free throw attempts to take the lead, but could make just two, cutting the deficit to a single point. The Spartans then had possession of the basketball with a chance to take the lead but could not score.
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 third in the Big Ten in made 3-point field goals per game (2.5) and 10th in 3-point field-goal percentage (.419; 67-160).
Trice's Stellar Senior Campaign
Travis Trice ranks second in the Big Ten in assists (5.4 apg) and paces the conference, and ranks fourth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.4), leading the Spartans in both categories. He is ninth in 3-point field goals made (2.1).
The 1,000-Point Club
Branden Dawson ranks 33rd in MSU history with 1,192 points, needing four points to pass Alan Anderson and Kelvin Torbert (1,195 points). Bryn Forbes (1,151 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 17.1 assists per game, leading the Big Ten and ranking fifth in the nation, recording an assist on 64.1 percent of its baskets. In 13 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%; vs. Michigan 19 ast., 27 FG - 70.4%; vs. Northwestern 19 ast., 23 FG - 82.6%; vs. Ohio State 19 ast., 24 FG - 79.2%).
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 third in the Big Ten. Denzel Valentine leads MSU and ranks third in the Big Ten with 67 made 3-pointers (2.5 pg). The Spartans have made eight or more 3-pointers in 13 games, including seven games with 10 or more.
Free Basketball
Michigan State is 2-3 in overtime games this season, as the five overtime games are the most since the Spartans played five during the 1987-88 season. MSU entered the season having won seven straight overtime games dating back to a loss to Minnesota in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament. MSU has never played more than five overtime games in a single season.
Costello Playing Well
Matt Costello is averaging 7.8 points over the last 19 games, in addition to 5.1 rebounds, shooting .620 from the field in 19.8 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 21 games, averaging 7.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 19.2 minutes, shooting .616 from the field. Costello has posted two double-doubles on the season.
Dawson's Early-Season Injury And Illness
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.
Bess Out Of Action
Javon Bess missed the first 10 games of the season while recovering from a broken right foot. He made his debut against Eastern Michigan on Dec. 17. 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. He then started the next three games in Big Ten play, averaging 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per contest, while bringing some toughness to the Spartan lineup. But pain returned in the foot, forcing him to come off the bench in two games, and he has not played in MSU's last five 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.; vs. Rutgers-17 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Michigan-19 pts., 10 reb.; vs. Ohio State-15 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Michigan-23 pts., 13 reb.) leads MSU with nine. Matt Costello (vs. Loyola-13 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Texas Southern-17 pts., 10 reb.), Gavin Schilling (vs. Santa Clara-14 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Penn State-11 pts., 10 reb.) and Denzel Valentine (vs. Santa Clara-13 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Nebraska-21 pts., 11 reb.) each have two. For his career, Dawson has 21 double-doubles, while Valentine has totaled six.
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. A foot injury also has kept him out of action for the last five games. 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 24 games due to illness and injury for its rotation players.
Ranked Opponents
Michigan State is currently ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and just outside the Associated Press Top 25. Five Spartan opponents are ranked in the Top 25: Duke (No. 4 AP/No. 5 USA Today), Wisconsin (5/4), Kansas (8/9), Notre Dame (9/8), and Maryland (14/14).
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 (176), Texas (168), Duke (166), Kentucky (165), and Illinois (165). (Through games of Feb. 23)
Wollenman Honored For Academics
Colby Wollenman has been named to the Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 First Team. The forward from Big Horn, Wyoming, owns a 3.98 overall GPA as a physiology (pre-med) major. First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month. He is joined on the All-District 5 First Team by Butler's Alex Barlow, Western Michigan's Austin Richie, Valparaiso's Alec Peters, and Xavier's Matthew Stainbrook.
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.
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 (Minnesota) 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 487-195 (.714), and 231-105 (.688) 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 .688 winning percentage in Big Ten games ranks third all-time among league coaches with at least 10 years of service, behind Wisconsin's Bo Ryan (.716), and former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700) and ahead of Ohio State's Thad Matta (.686) and former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Matta ranks first at .764, followed by Ryan (.738), Knight (.734), Izzo (.714), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), and Lambert (.709). With 231 conference victories, Izzo ranks third 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.
