Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State Looks To Bounce Back At Wisconsin
1/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| #4/4 Michigan State (16-2, 3-2) vs. Wisconsin (9-9, 1-4) | |
| Date | Sunday, January 17 , 2016 |
| Time | 1:30 p.m. ET |
| Location | Madison, Wis. | Kohl Center |
| Television | CBS (Andrew Catalon, Clark Kellogg) |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Will Tieman, Gus Ganakas, Matt Steigenga) | Sirius 93/XM 195 |
| 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 defeat as it travels to Wisconsin. The Badgers are also looking to get back on the winning track, having lost at Northwestern on Tuesday. The last four games at Kohl Center all have been decided by seven points or less, including three contests by three points or less, two of which Michigan State won.
The Starting Five
1. He's Back!
After missing four games following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Dec. 21, Denzel Valentine returned to action at Penn State on Jan. 10, totaling 10 points, five rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes off the bench. MSU is 13-1 with Valentine in the lineup this season, averaging 21.6 assists and a +13.4 rebounding margin. Without Valentine, the Spartans were 3-1, averaging 17.5 assists and a +9.8 rebounding margin. Coach Izzo has stressed that it takes time for even the best players to return to form after missing weeks. In two games since returning from injury, Valentine is averaging 12.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Before injury, he averaged 18.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists.
2. Finding Success Away From Home
Michigan State owns a Big Ten-best 41-25 (.621) mark in conference road games over the last seven-plus seasons (since the start of 2008-09 Big Ten play). Wisconsin and Ohio State are 36-29 on the road in that same stretch.
3. Davis' Immediate Impact
Freshman Deyonta Davis is proving to be an impact player in his first season. The 2015 Michigan Mr. Basketball Award winner ranks fourth in the Big Ten in blocks (2.1 bpg), second in field-goal percentage (.667) and has scored in double-figures in eight games. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Nov. 30 after averaging 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in four games. With 37 blocks, Davis already has established the single-season record for a Spartan freshman, surpassing the previous mark of 29 blocks held by Delvon Roe (2008-09). Over the last six games, Davis has made 23-of-29 field goals (.793).
4. Costello Steps Up
Senior Matt Costello is having his best season as a Spartan, averaging 9.2 points and 7.6 rebounds. More importantly, he has raised his game in the last six contests, four of which came with fellow senior Denzel Valentine on the bench, averaging 12.7 points and a team-best 10.7 rebounds. He's scored a career high-tying 17 points at both Iowa and Minnesota, while grabbing a career-best 15 rebounds at Minnesota. He posted a double-double in two of the four games Valentine missed, grabbing double-figure rebounds in three of the four contests. He's scored in double figures in four of the last six games.
5. Izzo Third In Wins At Big Ten School
With 511 career wins, Tom Izzo is one win shy of tying Gene Keady (512 wins) for second-most victories at a Big Ten school, trailing only Bob Knight (661 wins). Izzo is also third all-time with 236 Big Ten wins, trailing just Knight (353 wins) and Keady (265 wins).
MSU vs. Wisconsin Notes
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Wisconsin, 75-63, although the Badgers own a 45-24 advantage in games played in Madison. The home team has won 16 of the last 18 games played on a college campus, with the lone exceptions being MSU's wins in Madison in 2012 and 2013. Tom Izzo is 24-19 in his career against Wisconsin.
Coach Gard
Greg Gard (Wisconsin-Platteville, `95) was named interim head coach on Dec. 15 following Bo Ryan's retirement. Since take over, Gard has guided the Badgers to a 2-4 record. Gard joined Ryan's staff at Wisconsin-Platteville in 1993, and would spend the next 23 seasons with Ryan at UW-Platteville, UW-Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
The Last Meeting
Wisconsin defeated Michigan State, 80-69 in overtime, on March 15, 2015, in the Big Ten Tournament championship game in Chicago. Michigan State led by a point at the half and by 11 points (57-46) with 7:35 left. Wisconsin responded with a 14-2 run to take a one-point lead. The Badgers led by three with less than two minutes left, but Denzel Valentine hit a 3-pointer and Travis Trice scored on a layup to give MSU a lead in the final minute. Michigan State forced a Badger miss, but a Spartan turnover allowed Bronson Koenig to force overtime by hitting a pair of free throws. In the extra stanza, UW outscored MSU, 11-0. Valentine and Branden Dawson led MSU with 16 points. Nigel Hayes led all scorers with 25 points, hitting 12-of-12 free throws, while Frank Kaminsky added 19 points.
The Last Meeting In Madison
Wisconsin defeated Michigan State, 68-61, on March 1, 2015, in Madison. Michigan State led 11-10 after three early 3-pointers. The Badgers responded with a 16-6 run to take a 26-17 lead, eventually holding a 36-25 lead at the half. Wisconsin put the game away by scoring the first 11 points of the second half to push its lead out to 22 points. Frank Kaminsky scored a game-high 31 points. Bryn Forbes led MSU with 21 points, hitting 8-of-9 shots, including 5-of-5 from 3-point range. The Spartans shot 52.9 percent (9-17) from 3-point range, but shot just 41.6 percent (15-of-36) from inside the arc. The Badgers dominated on the glass, out-rebounding the Spartans, 35-24, despite MSU entering the contest with a +8.0 margin.
Badger Notes
Wisconsin has used the same starting lineup for all 18 games ... Junior Nigel Hayes joins Denzel Valentine as the only two players to average 15.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists, ranking in the Top 10 in the Big Ten in all three categories ... Wisconsin has lost five games by three points or less and seven games by six points or less ... Freshman Ethan Happ leads the Big Ten with six double-doubles ... Five different Badgers have led Wisconsin in scoring this season, and eight different players have scored at least 10 points in a game ... Nigel Hayes leads the Big Ten in free throw attempts with 131, averaging 7.3 per game ... Junior Bronson Koenig has made at least one 3-pointer in 29 consecutive games, hitting multiple triples in 23 of those contests.
MSU Basketball Notes
Denzel Valentine â€" America's Most Versatile Player
Denzel Valentine made an early statement with his triple-double vs. Kansas in the Champions Classic. Tallying a career-high 29 points, a career-high 12 assists and 12 rebounds, he became just the fourth player in MSU history to record a triple-double. Nine days later, he recorded a second triple-double against Boston College (29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists), and followed the next day with a career-high 32 points vs. Boise State.
He ranks third in the Big Ten in assists (6.7 apg), tied for third in scoring (17.6 ppg) and fifth in rebounding (7.7 rpg). He is one of just two players to rank in the Top 10 in the Big Ten in all three categories. Valentine leads the Big Ten in defensive rebounds (7.0 drpg), while ranking tied for third in 3-point field goals made (2.9 pg) and fifth in FT percentage (.840). Last season, he was the only Big Ten player to rank in the Top 15 in scoring, rebounding and assists.
Valentine's numbers are arguably the best in recent college basketball history. Since 1995-96, no player has averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists for a season.
For his career, Valentine has totaled 11 double-doubles, including the two triple-doubles.
Basketball-Football Balance
Michigan State is one of five schools to be ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 in both football and men's basketball as the Spartans are currently ranked No. 4 in basketball and No. 6 in football. Oklahoma (No. 2 BB, No. 3 FB) is the only other school with both programs ranked in the Top 10. North Carolina, Iowa and Baylor are the other schools with both programs ranked. (Football AP Top 25-Jan. 12; Basketball AP Top 25-Jan. 11). MSU is the only school in the nation to have won four straight bowl games and appear in four Sweet 16s in the last four seasons.
It's All About Boardwork
Michigan State owns an impressive +12.6 rebounding margin, leading the Big Ten and ranking second in the nation, as the Spartans have out-rebounded 16 of 18 opponents this season, including Louisville by +10, after the Cardinals entered the game with a +21.4 margin. In the Tom Izzo era, MSU has out-rebounded 548 of 712 opponents (.770), posting a 435-113 (.794) mark in those games. The Spartans have led the nation in rebounding in four of the last 16 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 12 of the last 18 years and in 13 of 20 seasons under Tom Izzo.
Spartans Share The Ball
Unselfishness is a trademark of all Tom Izzo teams. Michigan State is averaging 21.1 assists, ranking second in the nation, recording an assist on 372 of 516 field goals (72.1 percent). Last season, MSU established a school single-season record with 646 assists, leading the Big Ten and ranking fifth in the nation with 16.6 per contest. In 2013-14, MSU tallied 637 assists, a total that was a school record at the time, until last year's squad surpassed it. The Spartans led the Big Ten and ranked sixth in the nation in 2013-14 with 16.8 per contest. Last year, MSU recorded an assist on 63.7 percent of its baskets.
Defensive Effort
Although Coach Izzo would like to see improvement, statistically Michigan State has proven to be a strong defensive team in 2015-16. The Spartans rank in the Top 15 nationally in scoring defense (14th, 61.9), field-goal percentage defense (4th, .364) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (7th, .277). Just seven teams have shot better than 40 percent from the field and just five have bettered 35 percent behind the 3-point arc.
Making The Most Of An Opportunity
Junior Eron Harris took advantage of his time in the starting lineup as he started five games in place of an injured Denzel Valentine. In games against Oakland, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and Penn State, Harris averaged 16.8 points, shooting .500 from the field and averaging 6.0 foul shots per game.
Spartan Comebacks
Michigan State has shown the ability to overcome adversity during the 2015-16 season, as the Spartans have overcome double-figure deficits in three victories. MSU trailed Oakland by a season-high 15 points in the first half, and also trailed Kansas and Louisville by 13 points in the first half.
Improved Foul Shooting
Michigan State ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 77th in the nation in free-throw percentage, shooting .721 from the foul line. While that percentage isn't overly impressive, it's certainly an improvement over last season when MSU ranked 330th in the nation, shooting 63.2 percent from the charity stripe.
Forbes For Three
Senior Bryn Forbes is proving to be one of top shooters in the country. For his career, he's made 263-of-619 attempts from behind the arc, good for a .425 shooting percentage. He's made a 3-pointer in 107 of 121 career games, including in 15 of 18 contests this season. He's opened 2015-16 by making 51-of-107 (.477), ranking 13th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage. Forbes has made three or more 3-pointers in 11 games and ranks tied for third in the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made (2.8).
Tum Tum Takes Care of the Ball
Michigan State point guard Tum Tum Nairn Jr. isn't known for his scoring, but he's earned the right to be the Spartans' starting point guard with his leadership, defense and ability to take care of the ball. With 81 assists and just 17 turnovers on the season, he ranks fifth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.8). In the last 15 games, he has posted a 5.6 assist-to-turnover ratio (73 assists, 13 turnovers). He committed just six turnovers in seven games in the month of December.
Schilling Starts
Gavin Schilling has started the last four games for the Spartans, averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting .737 (14-19) from the field and a perfect 1.000 (5-5) from the foul line, in 16.3 minutes per contest. Schilling missed the first 11 games of the season due to a turf toe injury (right foot) suffered in the second exhibition contest of the season. Last year, he started 33 games as a sophomore. Coach Izzo has said that he was MSU's best big man and second-best player on MSU's summer trip to Italy where he averaged 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds.
All-Time Block Leaders
Matt Costello ranks fourth in MSU history with 125 blocks. Drew Naymick ranks third with 134 blocks. Branden Dawson is the MSU career leader with 142 blocks. Costello blocked 43 shots as a sophomore and 48 as a junior.
Offensive Rebounding
Michigan State ranks second in the Big Ten with 12.3 offensive rebounds per game, while ranking second in offensive rebound percentage, grabbing 37.1 percent of its missed shots. The Spartans are averaging 12.2 second-chance points per contest, outscoring opponents by a +3.5 margin.
Dominating NCAA Stats
It's not surprising given their 16-2 record, but the Spartans are dominating the NCAA statistics (through games of Jan. 14), ranking in the Top 10 nationally in 11 categories, including leading the nation in total assists (372) and total rebounds (774). Michigan State also ranks in the Top 10 in rebound margin (2nd, +12.6) assists per game (2nd, 20.7), field-goal percentage defense (4th, .364), defensive rebounds per game (4th, 30.72), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (7th, .277), assist-to-turnover ratio (7th, 1.68), won-lost percentage (7th, .889), scoring margin (9th, +17.2), and total rebounds per game (9th, 43.0).
Big Ten Success
Michigan State has won 13 regular-season Big Ten Championships 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 594-469 (.559) in league play, including 236-109 (.684) under Tom Izzo, who ranks third in league history with 236 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 236-109, 15 games better than second-place Wisconsin (221-124).
The 500 Win Club
Tom Izzo recorded his 500th-career win in MSU's 99-68 victory over Boston College in the Wooden Legacy. Izzo became the 91st coach in history to record 500 career wins, with at least 10 seasons in Division I, and just the eighth coach to accomplish the feat in his first 21 seasons. Izzo also became the 18th coach to win 500 career games in his first collegiate head coaching stop, and was the eighth-fastest coach to reach 500 wins among those who did it all at one school, accomplishing the feat in 699 career games. (Note: Two days later, Bob McKillop recorded career win No. 500 in 27 seasons - all at Davidson.)
Playing The Best
Since the 1997-98 season, the year of Michigan State's first of 18 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans have played 201 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 (184), Texas (176), Duke (173) and Kentucky (171).
Spartan Depth
Nine Spartans average double-figure minutes, while 11 average more than eight minutes, and 13 average more than seven minutes. MSU has needed its depth as Gavin Schilling (turf toe), Marvin Clark Jr. (foot) and Denzel Valentine (knee) have each missed time due to injury. The Spartans have had their full allotment of scholarship players available for just three games this season.
Double-Double Threats
Three different Spartans have recorded a double-double this season. Denzel Valentine has two triple-doubles (vs. Kansas and Boston College), and two double-doubles (vs. Binghamton and UMES), while Matt Costello (vs. UAPB, Oakland and Minnesota) has three double-doubles and Deyonta Davis (vs. Florida Atlantic) has one.
Valentine Lends A Helping Hand
Denzel Valentine ranks third in the Big Ten and 12th in the nation, averaging 6.7 assists per contest. With 492 assists for his career, he ranks eighth in MSU history, one ahead of Earvin Johnson (491), and 63 behind Travis Walton (555). In games in which he has played, Valentine has either made or assisted on 43.8 percent of MSU's field goals, including 45.8 percent in games which he has started. He also boasts a career-best 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio.
From Beyond the Arc
Michigan State currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten, shooting .384 from behind the arc, led by Bryn Forbes at .477, as nine different Spartans have made a 3-pointer. MSU ranks eighth in the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made (136, 7.6 pg). The Spartans made 294 3-pointers last year, which ranked second in school history, behind only the 2013-14 squad (307 3-pointers).
An Impressive Debut
Deyonta Davis became just the third Spartan freshman to post a double-double in his debut, totaling 13 points and 11 rebounds, joining Derrick Nix and Matt Steigenga. Davis also blocked five shots, the most ever in a Spartan freshman debut. The 11 rebounds are the second-most ever in an MSU freshman debut.
Triple-Double Trouble
Denzel Valentine recorded a triple-double against Kansas in the Champions Classic (29 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists), joining Earvin Johnson (eight), Draymond Green (three) and Charlie Bell (one) as the only Spartans to accomplish the feat. He recorded a second against Boston College (29 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists), becoming one of three Spartans with multiple triple-doubles. Including his triple-doubles, Valentine has 11 career double-doubles.
Valentine On Awards Lists
Denzel Valentine was one of 10 Big Ten players on the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50. On Jan. 13, he was one of four Big Ten players named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25. Aerial Powers from the Michigan State women's basketball team made the women's preseason list, making MSU one of just 13 schools, including just two in the Big Ten (Maryland), to have a male and female honoree. He is also on the USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch List and the Naismith Award Watch List 50. He is a candidate for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. In the preseason, he was a unanimous selection to the Big Ten's all-conference team, and was tabbed a preseason All-American by CBSSports.com (third team) and Sports Illustrated (second team), while ESPN.com ranked him the No. 3 player in college basketball. He was named a midseason All-American by NBC Sports, Jeff Goodman from ESPN.com, and the Sporting News
Coaching Stability
Michigan State has had just two basketball coaches in the last 40 seasons and three in the last 47. Tom Izzo is in his 21st season, having taking over from his mentor Jud Heathcote, who spent 19 years as head coach (1976-95). Before Heathcote, Gus Ganakas spent seven seasons as head coach. Ganakas is currently in his 30th-straight season providing commentary on Spartan radio broadcasts.
Valentine In The Record Books
Denzel Valentine has played in 127 career games, needing to play in 19 more to hold sole position of the top spot in Spartan history. Valentine ranks eighth in MSU career assists (492), needing 84 rebounds to become the only Spartan to rank in the school's career Top 10 in both categories. He ranks seventh in MSU history with 201 made 3-pointers and fifth with 520 3-point attempts. He needs one more made 3-pointers to tie Travis Trice and Maurice Ager for fifth all-time at MSU, and 12 more attempts to tie Ager for fourth-most attempts.
MSU At No. 1
Michigan State held the No. 1 position in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls for a school-record four weeks earlier this season (Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28). It marked just the fourth time in school history, including the third time under Tom Izzo, for a total of 11 weeks. After opening the season at No. 13 in the preseason poll, MSU's rise to No. 1 was the largest by week five since 1987-88 when Arizona opened at No. 17 and rose to No. 1 in week five. The Spartans were No. 1 for two weeks during the National Championship season of 1978-79, holding the top spot on Jan. 3 and Jan. 9. In 2000-01, MSU reached the top spot on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Most recently, MSU held the No. 1 spot for three weeks in 2013-14 (Nov. 18-Dec. 2), posting a 4-1 record. The Spartans have an all-time record of 14-5 at No. 1.
Valentine's Big Week(s)
Following a week in which he averaged 18.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists in wins over No. 4 Kansas and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, including posting a triple-double vs. Kansas, Denzel Valentine was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Nov. 23. It marked the first weekly honor of his career. Valentine was also named National Player of the Week by ESPN.com, CBS Sports and NBC Sports. He followed by averaging 22.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists in four games, earning Big Ten Player of the Week and NBC Sports National Player of the Week honors for the second-straight week on Nov. 30.
Wooden Legacy Recap
Michigan State captured the 2015 Wooden Legacy championship with three double-digit victories. Denzel Valentine was named Most Outstanding Player after averaging 26.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists, while also setting an event mark with 15 3-pointers in three games (.536). He recorded his second-career triple-double vs. Boston College, and scored a career-high 32 points vs. Boise State. Deyonta Davis averaged 11.3 points, shooting .850 from the field. Tum Tum Nairn Jr. averaged 7.7 points, including a career-high 13 points vs. Boston College, and totaled 18 assists and just two turnovers in two games. MSU recorded an assist on 69 of 88 baskets (78.4 percent) and held a +11.0 rebounding margin. The Spartans shot 52.1 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from 3-point range.
Spartans In The NBA
Michigan State is tied for the Big Ten lead with six players on NBA opening-day rosters. Branden Dawson (Los Angeles Clippers) is in his rookie season after being selected in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft. They join former Spartans Alan Anderson (Washington), Draymond Green (Golden State), Gary Harris (Denver), Adreian Payne (Minnesota) and Zach Randolph (Memphis).
1,000-Point Scorers
Denzel Valentine is tied with Matt Steigenga for 26th in MSU history with 1,296 career points. He needs 14 points to pass Branden Dawson (1,309 points), and 19 points to pass Durrell Summers (1,314 points). Bryn Forbes has 1,480 career points, 905 of which came in his first two seasons at Cleveland State. Eron Harris surpassed 1,000 career points with his 21-point effort at Iowa. He's totaled 1,048 career points after totaling 873 in two seasons at West Virginia.
MSU In The Polls
Michigan State is currently ranked No. 4 in the AP Top 25 and No. 4 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Fourt other Big Ten schools are ranked including Maryland (No. 3 Associated Press/No. 3 USA Today), Iowa (No. 16/19), Purdue (No. 24/24) and Indiana (--/No. 25). In addition to the conference opponents, MSU defeated Kansas (No. 1/1) in the Champions Classic, defeated Providence (No. 12/12) in the Wooden Legacy, and defeated Louisville (No. 21/20) in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Prep Teammates
Michigan State's roster features three pairs of high school teammates. Seniors Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes teamed to appear in three-straight Michigan Class B title games from 2010-2012, capturing the state championship in 2011 and 2012. Sophomores 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 in 2013-14, while Nairn finished his high school career. Juniors 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.
Big Ten Schedule
With a 14-team conference 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 Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers and Wisconsin. The Spartans will host Illinois, Indiana, Maryland and Nebraska, while traveling to Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern and Purdue. Seven of Michigan State's 13 Big Ten opponents appeared in the 2014 postseason, including six in the NCAA Tournament (Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin) and one in the NIT (Illinois).
Valentine Wins Bronze with USA
Denzel Valentine was a member of the USA Basketball Pan American Games Team that captured a Bronze Medal in Canada July 21-25. He ranked sixth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.4 points, while shooting .500 from the field and .385 from 3-point range. In medal play, he averaged 11 points and 3.5 rebounds in two games.
Spartans Summer Trip: Italy
In late August, Michigan State traveled to Italy for the first summer foreign trip of the Tom Izzo era. After a decisive 98-54 victory over a club team in Florence, the Spartans took part in a four-team round-robin event featuring national teams from Russia, Italy, and Georgia. Although the Spartans dropped all three games, the games got progressively closer as MSU trailed Italy by just five points midway through the fourth quarter, and falling to Georgia by a single point. Denzel Valentine averaged a team-best 17.3 points against the three national teams, while Gavin Schilling was the team's leading rebounder (7.0 rpg) and second-leading scorer (13.3 ppg). Bryn Forbes also averaged double figures at 13.0 ppg.
Nation's Best Seven Final Fours in 17 Years
Michigan State advanced to the 2015 Final Four, marking the seventh trip to the Final Four in 20 seasons under Tom Izzo. The seven trips in the last 17 seasons rank as the most in the nation. In addition, MSU has appeared in 18 straight NCAA Tournaments, marking the nation's third-longest active streak, and matching the longest streak in Big Ten history.
Breslin Upgrades on the Horizon
A major facilities upgrade â€" focused on improving the visitor experience â€" and the construction of a Michigan State University Basketball Hall of History are on tap for the Breslin Student Events Center. The MSU Board of Trustees gave the university the go-ahead to proceed with the $50 million project. $30 million will be provided by the university and $20 million from MSU Athletics. The work is scheduled to begin in January 2016, with substantial completion expected by August of 2017 and final completion by June 2018.
2016 Recruiting Class
Michigan State and head coach Tom Izzo will be bringing in one of the nation's top recruiting classes in 2016, as it currently sits at No. 3 according to ESPN.com. During November's early signing period, the Spartans received signed letters of intent from five-star recruits Miles Bridges (G/F, 6-7, Flint, Mich.) and Joshua Langford (G, 6-5, Huntsville, Ala.), along with four stars Cassius Winston (G, 6-0, Detroit, Mich.) and Nick Ward (F, 6-9, Gahanna, Ohio). All four players have been rated in the top 50 of their class across the country by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 24/7 Sports, with Bridges and Langford touted as high as No. 8 and No. 17, respectively. Bridges has averaged a double-double throughout his high school career, including 15.7 points and 10.6 rebounds at Huntington Prep last season. He'll carry on the tradition of Flint natives at MSU under Tom Izzo, including Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, Charlie Bell and Antonio Smith. Langford is a four-time Alabama Class 3A Player of the Year, having first won the award as an eighth grader, while also capturing two state championships. Winston has led his squad to the state semifinals in each of the last two seasons, and averaged 22.3 points and 7.1 assists as a junior. Ward attends Gahanna Lincoln High School, where he was teammates with current Spartan Javon Bess, and averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks as a prep junior.
The Book On Tom Izzo
Coach Izzo
In his 21st year, Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan, '77) is 511-200 (.719), and 236-108 (.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 20 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 former Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan (.717), former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700), and Ohio State's Thad Matta (.689) and ahead of former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Matta ranks first at .756, followed by Ryan (.737), Knight (.734), Izzo (.719), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), and Lambert (.709). With 236 conference victories, Izzo ranks third all-time.
Izzo Among Best Ever
Through his first 20 seasons, Tom Izzo won 495 games, ranking fifth in college basketball history for most wins by a college coach in his first 20 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 was 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.
