Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Travel To Wisconsin
2/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| #-/25 Michigan State (19-9, 10-5) vs. #5/4 Wisconsin (25-3, 13-2) | |
| Date | Sunday, March 1, 2015 |
| Time | 4 p.m. ET |
| Location | Madison, Wis. | Kohl Center |
| Television | CBS (Verne Lundquist, Dan Bonner) |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Will Tieman, Gus Ganakas, Matt Steigenga) |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Wisconsin |
| Statistics | Michigan State | Wisconsin |
| Live Stats | |
| Social Media | @MSU_Basketball  | Facebook  | Instagram |
THE OPENING TIP
Michigan State looks to bounce back from an overtime loss as it travels to Madison for the only meeting of the season between the Spartans and Badgers. The last three MSU-UW games in Kohl Center have been decided by a total of seven points, including one overtime contest.
THE STARTING FIVE
1.Spartan Defense
On the season, MSU is limiting teams to 62.3 points on .389 FG%, including .303 from 3-point range. The Spartans lead the Big Ten in FG pct. defense and 3-point FG pct. defense, while ranking fourth in scoring defense. In conference games, MSU ranks first in 3-point FG pct. defense (.314), second in FG pct. defense (.399), and eighth in scoring defense (64.1 ppg). The all-time lows of the Izzo era were a .379 FG% in 2011-12 and .298 3FG% in 2001-02.
2. 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 17.3 assists per game, leading the Big Ten and ranking third in the nation, recording an assist on 64.8 percent of its baskets. The 17.3 average is the third-best of the Izzo era, trailing only 2000-01 (17.5) and 2007-08 (17.5). In 14 games, MSU has recorded an assist on more than 70 percent of its baskets.
3. Trice Off The Bench
While Tum Tum Nairn Jr. has moved into the starting lineup for the last fi ve games, Travis Trice has assumed the role of a Morris Peterson and Draymond Green, former Spartans that starred off the bench. In the last fi ve contests, Trice is MSU's leading scorer at 17.2 points per game, while averaging 5.8 assists. In the last three games, he's averaging 20.3 points and 7.0 assists.
4. Finding Success Away From Home
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.
5. It's All About Boardwork
Michigan State owns a Big Ten-best +8.0 rebounding margin, having out-rebounded 23 of 28 opponents, ranking 13th in the nation. In the Tom Izzo era, MSU has outrebounded 528 of 683 opponents (.773), posting a 417-111 (.790) 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 and in 12 of 19 seasons under Tom Izzo.
MSU Vs. Wisconsin Notes
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Wisconsin, 75-61, although the Badgers own a 44-24 advantage in games played in Madison. The home team has won 15 of the last 17 games played on a college campus, with the lone exceptions being MSU's wins in Madison in 2012 and 2013. The last three games at Kohl Center have been decided by three points or less, including one overtime contest. MSU has won six of the last seven and nine of the last 12. Tom Izzo is 24-17 in his career against Wisconsin.
Coach Ryan
Bo Ryan (Wilkes, `69) is 729-227 in his 31st season as a collegiate head coach, including 346-123 in his 14th year at Wisconsin. Prior to his arrival in Madison, Ryan coached at UW-Milwaukee for two years (1999-2001) and at UW-Platteville for 15 seasons (1984-99), winning four Division III National Championships.
The Last Meeting
Michigan State defeated Wisconsin, 83-75, on March 15, 2014, in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals in Indianapolis. The Spartans opened with a 7-0 run and never looked back. Leading 21-15 midway through the first half, MSU used a 16-1 spurt to take a commanding 37-16 lead. The Badgers tried to mount a second-half comeback, but they could never get any closer than six points. Adreian Payne scored 18 points in just 17 minutes to lead six Spartans in double figures. Branden Dawson added 14 points, on 6-of-8 shooting, and seven rebounds, while Denzel Valentine also grabbed seven boards to go with his 12 points. Frank Kaminsky led all scorers with 28 points, including 16 in the second half. MSU shot 56.9 percent for the game, including 53.8 percent from 3-point range.
The Last Meeting In Madison
Wisconsin defeated Michigan State, 60-58, on Feb. 9, 2014 in Madison. The contest featured seven lead changes in the first 13 minutes as MSU held a 22-19 lead with 6:49 left in the half. The Badgers closed the half on an 11-0 run as MSU missed its final 12 shots of the half. In the second half, the Badgers pushed their lead back out to 10 with 13:14 left. UW's Frank Kaminsky hit a 3-pointer with 29 seconds left to give the Badgers a seemingly comfortable 58-53 lead. After a timeout, Gary Harris connected on a long field goal to cut the margin to three. After Wisconsin missed a free throw, Adreian Payne knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game with 8.7 seconds left. After a timeout, Traevon Jackson, dribbled the length of the court for a pull-up game-winner with 2.1 seconds left. MSU had one last chance, but Travis Trice's half-court heave was just off target. Payne led MSU with a game-high 24 points, and Trice added 13, as Branden Dawson and Keith Appling missed the game due to injury. Nigel Hayes led four Badgers in double figures with 14 points.
Badger Notes
Frank Kaminsky leads the Big Ten with 10 double-doubles overall, including five in Big Ten games, trailing Branden Dawson (8) ... Wisconsin leads the nation in the fewest fouls (12.7) and fewest turnovers (7.5) ... In conference games, the Badgers rank second in the Big Ten in fi eld-goal percentage (.470), and third in scoring offense (70.0 ppg) ... UW leads the Big Ten in scoring defense (58.3 ppg), but ranks 10th in FG% defense (.446).
GM. 28 RECAP • MINNESOTA 96 - MICHIGAN STATE 90, OT
Michigan State lost to Minnesota, 96-90, in overtime. The Spartans led by as many as eight points in the first half, but the Golden Gophers managed to stay within striking distance. In the second half, Minnesota took a 67-64 lead with 3:54 left. Travis Trice tied the game with a fade-away 3-pointer, and after a basket from Joey King, Trice hit another 3-pointer to give MSU a 70-69 lead. A steal and a Branden Dawson dunk extended MSU's lead out to three points. Trice would make three of four free throws and MSU led 75-69 with 34 seconds remaining. Carlos Morris hit a deep 3-pointer but Denzel Valentine responded with two free throws. Leading 77-72, Dawson fouled King on a 3-pointer and he made all three foul shots. Valentine then made one of two free throws to give MSU a 78-75 lead. Morris hit a tying 3-pointer and was fouled with 2.2 seconds left. However, he missed the foul shot, sending the game into overtime. Minnesota controlled the extra period leading by as many as eight points. The Gophers were 14-of-20 from the foul line in the extra period, while the Spartans hit just 5-of-9, and made 3-of-11 field goals.
MSU VS. MINNESOTA NOTES
* Minnesota's 96 points were the most by a Spartan opponent since North Carolina scored 98 on Dec. 3, 2008.
* Minnesota became the third team to shoot better than 50 percent from the field against the Spartans this season, and the first in Big Ten play.
* Denzel Valentine scored a career-high 27 points, knocking down a career-best seven 3-pointers.
* The overtime game marked the sixth of the season for MSU - a new single-season record.
* Travis Trice recorded his second-career double-double with 21 points and 10 assists, becoming the first Spartan since Draymond Green in 2012 with 20 points and 10 assists in a single game.
* Tum Tum Nairn Jr. dished out a season-high eight assists.
* With two blocks, Matt Costello (88) moved into the career Top 10 at MSU.
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 fi rst 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 Climbs Rebounding Chart Branden Dawson is on pace to finish among the all-time leaders in Michigan State career rebounding. With 831 career boards, he ranks ninth in MSU history, four behind Andre Hutson (835 rebounds) in eighth place, and 56 behind Goran Suton (887 rebounds) in seventh place.
Dawson's Double-Doubles
Branden Dawson has posted double-doubles in eight of 15 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 15 conference games, averaging a Big Ten-best 10.8 rebounds per game in Big Ten play (9.9 rpg overall). He has nine double-doubles this season and 21 for his career.
MSU In March
Michigan State is 80-33 (.708) in March since the 1998-99 season. For his career, Tom Izzo is 87-40 (.685) in March. Over the last six years (2009-present), MSU is 34-13 (.723) in what Coach Izzo calls his favorite month of the year.
Tum Tum In The Starting Lineup
Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. has started six games this season, including the last five. In his starts, Nairn is averaging 4.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 31.2 minutes per contest. Furthermore, he is shooting .526 (10-of-19) from the field. In his last five starts, he's averaging 3.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. MSU is 5-1 when Nairn starts.
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 (124), eighth in career steals (154), and ninth in career rebounds (831).
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 (11th), rebounding (t-12th) and assists (8th). He also ranks in the Top 15 in 3-point field-goal percentage (5th), 3-point field goals made (2nd), assist-to-turnover ratio (11th), and defensive rebounds (7th).
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 .456 (26-57) over the last seven games, hitting four or more 3-pointers in five of the last seven games, including five vs. Ohio State and seven vs. Minnesota.
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 one of two players to rank in the Top 15 in the Big Ten in steals (12th, 1.3 spg), blocks (6th, 1.6 bpg) and defensive rebounds (2nd, 6.7 drpg). In conference games, he ranks t-11th in steals (1.3 spg), second in blocks (2.3 bpg) and first in defensive rebounds (7.4 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.
MSU Attacks The Offensive Glass
In Big Ten play, Michigan State averages a conference-best 11.7 offensive rebounds per contest. The Spartans grab 34.9 percent of their missed shots in conference games, ranking third in the Big Ten. MSU is averaging 12.2 second-chance points in Big Ten play, outscoring opponents by +4.5 points per game.
Keeping The 3-Pointer In Perspective
Michigan State is shooting .393 from 3-point range this season, tied for the second-best percentage of the Tom Izzo era. But on-target shooting does not equal an overreliance on the outside shot. MSU has attempted 542 3-pointers in 1579 field-goal attempts, meaning 34.3 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, and five averaging seven 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 10-0 when four or more players score in double-figures, and just 9-9 when three or fewer Spartans hit double-figures.
Dawson Attacks The Glass
Branden Dawson leads the Big Ten in rebounding at 9.9 boards per contest. In conference games, he's averaging a Big Ten-best 10.8 rebounds, recording double- figure rebounds in 11 of 15 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 .393 (213-542) from 3-point range this season, ranking second in the Big Ten and 22nd in the nation. In conference play, MSU is shooting .368, ranking fourth. Individually, Bryn Forbes (.435) ranks fourth in the Big Ten, while Denzel Valentine (.430) ranks fifth.
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 (5.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg) have combined to give MSU a solid post presence. The two Spartans average a combined 13.1 points and 9.6 rebounds, shooting .615 (149-242) from the field.
All-Time Block Leaders
Branden Dawson is third in Michigan State history with 124 career blocks, 10 behind Drew Naymick (134 blocks) in second place. Dawson ranks sixth in the Big Ten overall (1.6 bpg) and second in conference games (2.3 bpg), averaging 2.9 over the last eight 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 88 blocks, Matt Costello is tied with Aloysius Anagonye for ninth place, two behind Goran Suton in eighth.
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.
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 589-466 (.558) in league play, including 231-106 (.685) under Tom Izzo, who ranks third in league history with 231 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 231-106, 14 games better than second-place Wisconsin (217-120).
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 f ve 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 (173), 29 behind Maurice Ager in fifth place. With 436 career 3-point attempts, Trice ranks seventh, 10 behind Kirk Manns (446).
A Thin Line Between Victory And Defeat
In seven of Michigan State's nine defeats, the Spartans have either led or been within a possession in the final minute of the contest, with four 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. In MSU's most recent defeat vs. Minnesota, the Spartans led by six points in the final minute and couldn't close out the game, eventually falling in overtime.
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 second in the Big Ten in made 3-point field goals per game (2.6) and fifth in 3-point field-goal percentage (.430; 74-172).
Trice's Stellar Senior Campaign
Travis Trice ranks second in the Big Ten in assists (5.6 apg) and paces the conference, and ranks third in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.4), leading the Spartans in both categories. He is ninth in the conference in 3-point field goals made (2.2).
The 1,000-Point Club
Branden Dawson ranks 31st in MSU history with 1,202 points, needing 11 points to pass Kirk Manns and Ken Redfield (1,212 points) and 31 to pass Adreian Payne (1,232 points). Bryn Forbes (1,155 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.
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 7.6 made 3-pointers per contest, ranking third in the Big Ten. Denzel Valentine leads MSU and ranks second in the Big Ten with 74 made 3-pointers (2.6 pg). The Spartans have made eight or more 3-pointers in 14 games, including eight games with 10 or more.
Free Basketball
Michigan State is 2-4 in overtime games this season, as the six overtime games are the most the Spartans have ever played in a single season. Five of the overtime games have been played in East Lansing. MSU entered the season having won seven straight overtime games dating back to a loss to Minnesota in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament.
Costello Off The Bench
Matt Costello is averaging 7.8 points over the last 20 games, in addition to 5.0 rebounds, shooting .619 from the field in 20.3 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 22 games, averaging 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.7 minutes, shooting .615 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 fl u, 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 six games.
Double-Double Trouble
Five 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.), Denzel Valentine (vs. Santa Clara-13 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Nebraska-21 pts., 11 reb.) and Travis Trice (vs. Northwestern-18 pts., 11 ast.; vs. Minnesota-21 pts., 10 ast.) each have two. For his career, Dawson has 21 double-doubles, while Valentine has totaled six.
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).
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 25 games due to illness and injury for its rotation players.
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. 27)
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 fi rst 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 fi ve-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 487-196 (.713), and 231-106 (.685) 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 .685 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 (.713), former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700) and Ohio State's Thad Matta (.688) and ahead of former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Matta ranks fi rst at .764, followed by Ryan (.736), Knight (.734), Izzo (.713), 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.
