Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Back At Home Against Rutgers
1/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| #12/11 Michigan State (18-4, 5-4) vs. Rutgers (6-15, 0-8) | |
| Date | Sunday, January 31 , 2016 |
| Time | 5:15 p.m. ET |
| Location | East Lansing, Mich. | Breslin Center |
| Television | BTN (Josh Lewin, Jon Crispin) |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Will Tieman, Gus Ganakas, Matt Steigenga) | Sirius 84/XM 84 |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Rutgers |
| Statistics | Michigan State | Rutgers |
| Tickets | Purchase at MSUSpartans.com |
| Live Stats | |
| Social Media | @MSU_Basketball  | Facebook  | Instagram |
The Opening Tip
Michigan State hosts Rutgers for the first time in program history. Last season, in Rutgers' first year in the Big Ten, the Spartans won the only meeting on the road. The Spartans will look to continue their stellar defensive play that has allowed them to win the last two games while holding Maryland and Northwestern to .296 FG% and a .240 3FG%.
The Starting Five
1. Suits And Sneakers
The Michigan State coaching staff will take part in Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness Week during Sunday's game vs. Rutgers. The program is intended to raise awareness for the American Cancer Society's lifesaving mission. In addition, the coaches and team will wear gold Princess Lacey's Laces. Created in memory of Lacey Holsworth, a young girl that captured the hearts of America when her story and bond with the MSU basketball team, in particular Adreian Payne, became national news during the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Sadly, she passed away in April 2014, but she continues to give hope to millions of others afflicted with cancer. Fans can purchase her laces from Shoe Carnival online or in stores, with the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society and Princess Lacey's Legacy, which was formed to help pediatric cancer patients with alternative forms of therapy, such as the dance lessons that helped Lacey keep her spirits during her courageous battle.
2. Valentine Returns To Form
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. Coach Izzo has stressed that it takes time for even the best players to return to form after missing weeks. In six games since returning from injury, Valentine is averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists, including 21.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the last four contests. Before injury, he averaged 18.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists.
3. NBA All-Star
Draymond Green was named a reserve to the NBA All-Star West team on Jan. 28. The 2012 NABC National Player of the Year becomes the seventh Spartan to make an All-Star Team, joining Johnny Green, Ralph Simpson (ABA), Magic Johnson, Kevin Willis, Steve Smith and Zach Randolph. Through Jan. 28, Green is averaging 14.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists, leading the NBA with eight triple-doubles.
4. Rejection By Davis
In less than a year, Deyonta Davis is proving to be one of the best shot blockers in MSU history. With 45 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). The 45 blocks also rank as the ninth-best single season total at MSU. His six blocks at Northwestern established a Michigan State freshman single-game record.
5. Breslin Advantage
Michigan State is 360-56 (.865) at home all-time since Breslin Center opened in 1989, including 185-43 (.811) in Big Ten play. Under Tom Izzo, the Spartans are 286-41 (.875) at Breslin, including a 144-30 (.828) conference record.
MSU vs. Rutgers Notes
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Rutgers, 2-0. This is the first-ever meeting for the Spartans and Scarlet Knights in East Lansing, as the two teams played just once last year in Rutgers' first season in the Big Ten.
Coach Jordan
Eddie Jordan is 28-57 in his third season as a collegiate head coach at his alma mater. Jordan began his coaching career as a collegiate assistant, with stops at Rutgers, Old Dominion, and Boston College. In 1992, he moved to the NBA, with coaching stints at Sacramento, New Jersey, Washington, Philadelphia and Los Angeles (Lakers). This includes time as the head coach for the Kings, Wizards and 76ers. Jordan was the point guard for Rutgers in the mid-1970's. He was the floor general for the 1975-76 Scarlet Knights, who posted a 26-0 regular-season record, finishing with a 31-2 mark. He was named the 1976 NCAA Tournament East Regional MVP. Jordan was drafted by Cleveland in the second round of the 1977 NBA Draft, and averaged 8.1 points, 3.8 assists and 1.9 rebounds in seven seasons with the Cavaliers, Nets, Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.
The Last Meeting
Michigan State defeated Rutgers, 71-50, on Jan. 29, 2015, in a game postponed two days due to weather. The Spartans led by as many as 15 points in the first half, but held just a 42-34 advantage at the half. After both teams exchanged baskets to open the half, MSU put the game away with an 18-0 run. Bryn Forbes led MSU with 18 points and Branden Dawson tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds. Kadeem Jack paced Rutgers with 17 points. MSU shot 50.9 percent from the floor, and held RU to just 29.1 percent.
Rutgers Notes
Four Scarlet Knight frontcourt players have missed a combined 48 games due to injury, including three big men who are out for the season. Jonathan Laurent missed five games due to injury but returned to action vs. Iowa, scoring 14 points ... Rutgers is led in scoring by freshman point guard Corey Sanders, who also paces the conference in steals with 1.7 per contest ... The Scarlet Knights' freshman class leads all Rutgers classes in scoring and minutes played.
Spartan 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 second in the Big Ten in assists (6.7 apg), tied for first in scoring (18.4 ppg) and tied for fifth in rebounding (7.8 rpg). He is the only player to rank in the Top 10 in the Big Ten in all three categories. Valentine ranks second in defensive rebounds (6.8 drpg), second in 3-point field goals made (3.2 pg) and fifth in FT percentage (.828). 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 12 double-doubles, including the two triple-doubles.
Incoming Spartans Named McDonald's All-Americans
Incoming Spartan recruits Miles Bridges and Joshua Langford have been selected to play in the 2016 McDonald's All-American game on March 30, 2016, at the United Center in Chicago. Bridges will play for the East, while Langford will suit up for the West. They become the 13th and 14th McDonald's All-Americans to play for Tom Izzo. It marks the third time that two Spartans have been selected, joining Marcus Taylor and Zach Randolph in 2000 and Shannon Brown and Brandon Cotton in 2003. Current freshman Deyonta Davis was a 2015 All-American.
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 tied for third in the Big Ten in blocks (2.0 bpg), second in field-goal percentage (.633) and has scored in double-figures in nine 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. Over the last 10 games, Davis has made 36-of-55 field goals (.655). He's started the last four games, averaging 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 21.3 minutes.
Costello Steps Up
Senior Matt Costello is having his best season as a Spartan, averaging 9.5 points and a team-best 8.1 rebounds. More importantly, he has raised his game in the last 10 contests, four of which came with fellow senior Denzel Valentine on the bench, averaging 12.1 points and 10.6 rebounds. He's scored a career-best 18 points at Wisconsin, as well as scoring 17 points at both Iowa and Minnesota, while grabbing a career-best 15 rebounds at Minnesota. He's posted a double-double in four of the last 10 games. He's averaging a double-double in conference games at 12.3 points, ranking second on the team, and a Big Ten-best 10.6 rebounds.
Halftime Leads
Michigan State is a perfect 15-0 when leading at the half. The Spartans have also shown the ability to bounce back when trailing at the half, overcoming deficits vs. Kansas (35-41), Louisville (29-32) and Oakland (37-50).
Basketball-Football Balance
Michigan State is one of seven schools to be ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 in both football and men's basketball as the Spartans are currently ranked No. 12 in basketball and No. 6 in football. Oklahoma, North Carolina, Iowa, Baylor, Oregon and Notre Dame are the other schools with both programs ranked. (Football AP Top 25-Jan. 12; Basketball AP Top 25-Jan. 25).
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 (15th, 62.5), field-goal percentage defense (2nd, .367) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (5th, .278). Just nine teams have shot better than 40 percent from the field and just six have bettered 35 percent behind the 3-point arc. Over the last two games, MSU is holding opponents to 55.0 points, .296 FG% and .240 3FG%.
It's All About Boardwork
Michigan State owns an impressive +11.9 rebounding margin, ranking second in the Big Ten and second in the nation, as the Spartans have out-rebounded 20 of 22 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 552 of 716 opponents (.771), posting a 437-115 (.792) 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.
Forbes For Three
Senior Bryn Forbes is proving to be one of top shooters in the country. For his career, he's made 273-of-641 attempts from behind the arc, good for a .426 shooting percentage. He's made a 3-pointer in 111 of 125 career games, including in 19 of 22 contests this season. He's opened 2015-16 by making 61-of-129 (.473), ranking 11th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage. Forbes has made three or more 3-pointers in 13 games and ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made (2.8).
Making The Most Of An Opportunity
Junior Eron Harris has started nine games this season, scoring in double figures in seven of the nine. In his nine starts, he's averaging 13.9 points, shooting .476 from the field, .481 from 3-point range, and .842 from the foul line.
Spartans Share The Ball
Unselfishness is a trademark of all Tom Izzo teams. Michigan State is averaging 20.0 assists, ranking second in the nation, recording an assist on 441 of 618 field goals, good for a nation's-best 71.4 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.
The Turnover Story
Michigan State is a perfect 8-0 this season when committing the same number or fewer turnovers than its opponent. The Spartans have had single-digit turnovers in nine games. Michigan State is averaging 11.8 turnovers in its 18 wins and 12.8 in its four losses.
Izzo Second In Wins At A Big Ten School
With 513 career wins, Tom Izzo has passed 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 237 Big Ten wins, trailing just Knight (353 wins) and Keady (265 wins).
Rotating Starting Lineup
Michigan State started the same five through the first 12 games of the season. When Denzel Valentine was injured on Dec. 20 it forced Tom Izzo to make a change in the lineup. Beginning with the Dec. 22 game vs. Oakland, the Spartans have used six different lineups in the last nine games. Counting the Dec. 19 contest (the last of MSU's first 12), MSU has used seven different lineups in the last 11 games. MSU has used the same lineup of Valentine, Bryn Forbes, Eron Harris, Matt Costello and Deyonta Davis in the last four contests.
All-Time Block Leaders
Matt Costello ranks fourth in MSU history with 129 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.
Valentine In A Class Of His Own
Denzel Valentine is the only player in MSU or Big Ten history to total 1,300 career points, 700 career rebounds and 500 career assists. In 131 career games, he's totaled 1,381 points, 763 rebounds and 518 assists. Only five Spartans have ever amassed 1,000 career points and 500 career assists, as Valentine joins Mateen Cleaves, Kalin Lucas, Drew Neitzel and Scott Skiles. Since 2000 only four players are part of the 1,300-700-500 club, as Valentine is joined by BYU's Kyle Collinsworth (2010-Active), Louisville's Terrence Williams (2005-09) and DeAndre Kane (Marshall 2010-13, Iowa State 2013-14). (Source - Sports-Reference.com)
Improved Foul Shooting
Michigan State ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 75th in the nation in free-throw percentage, shooting .722 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. Unfortunately, MSU shot a season low 57.1 percent (12-21) in a one-point loss to Nebraska.
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.
Tum Tum Out Of Action
Michigan State point guard Tum Tum Nairn Jr. missed the last four games due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot and will miss at least a couple of weeks. With 81 assists and just 17 turnovers on the season, he ranks fourth 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. Nairn Jr. owns the second-best +/- per 40 minutes on the team at +20.48.
Dominating NCAA Stats
It's not surprising given their 18-4 record, but the Spartans are dominating the NCAA statistics (through games of Jan. 29), ranking in the Top 10 nationally in 10 categories, including total assists (1st, 441), total rebounds (2nd, 935), assists per game (2nd, 20.0), rebound margin (2nd, +11.9), field-goal percentage defense (2nd, .367), assist-to-turnover ratio (4th, 1.67), defensive rebounds per game (5th, 30.09), 3-point field-goal percentage defense (5th, .278), total rebounds per game (6th, 42.5) and scoring margin (7th, +15.8).
Offensive Rebounding
Michigan State ranks third in the Big Ten with 12.4 offensive rebounds per game, while ranking second in offensive rebound percentage, grabbing 37.0 percent of its missed shots. The Spartans are averaging 12.1 second-chance points per contest, outscoring opponents by a +3.4 margin.
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 596-471 (.559) in league play, including 238-111 (.682) under Tom Izzo, who ranks third in league history with 238 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 238-111, 13.5 games better than second-place Wisconsin (224-124).
Spartan Depth
Nine Spartans average 12 minutes per game, while 11 average more than eight minutes, and 13 average 6.6 minutes or more. MSU has needed its depth as Gavin Schilling (turf toe), Marvin Clark Jr. (foot), Denzel Valentine (knee) and Tum Tum Nairn Jr. (plantar fasciitis) have each missed time due to injury. The Spartans have had their full allotment of scholarship players available for just three games this season.
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 202 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 (178), Duke (174) and Kentucky (171).
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 three double-doubles (vs. Binghamton, UMES and Maryland), while Matt Costello (vs. UAPB, Oakland, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Maryland) has five double-doubles and Deyonta Davis (vs. Florida Atlantic) has one.
Valentine Lends A Helping Hand
Denzel Valentine ranks second in the Big Ten and 11th in the nation, averaging 6.7 assists per contest. With 518 assists for his career, he ranks eighth in MSU history, ahead of Earvin Johnson (491), and 37 behind Travis Walton (555). In games in which he has played, Valentine has either made or assisted on 46.2 percent of MSU's field goals, including 48.0 percent in games which he has started. He also boasts a career-best 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio.
From Beyond the Arc
Michigan State currently ranks third in the Big Ten, shooting .405 from behind the arc, led by Bryn Forbes at .473, as nine different Spartans have made a 3-pointer. MSU ranks tied for sixth in the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made (178, 8.1 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 Midseason 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 131 career games, needing to play in 15 more to hold sole position of the top spot in Spartan history. Valentine ranks eighth in MSU career assists (518), needing 51 rebounds to become the only Spartan to rank in the school's career Top 10 in both categories. He ranks fourth in MSU history with 218 made 3-pointers and fourth with 551 3-point 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). The Spartans have spent more time at No. 1 this season than any other school. 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.
1,000-Point Scorers
Denzel Valentine ranks 23rd in MSU history with 1,381 career points. He needs two points to pass Robert Chapman (1,382 points), three to pass Darryl Johnson (1,383 points) and 13 to pass Andre Hutson (1,393 points) to move into the career Top 20. Bryn Forbes has 1,529 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 1,089 career points after totaling 873 in two seasons at West Virginia.
MSU In The Polls
Michigan State is currently ranked No. 12 in the AP Top 25 and No. 11 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Four other Big Ten schools are ranked including Iowa (No. 3 Associated Press/No. 4 USA Today), Maryland (No. 8/7), Indiana (No. 19/17) and Purdue (No. 21/No. 21). In addition to the conference opponents, MSU defeated Kansas (No. 4/3) in the Champions Classic, defeated Providence (No. 10/10) in the Wooden Legacy, and defeated Louisville (No. 16/14) 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).
Spartans In The NBA
Michigan State leads the Big Ten with seven players on NBA rosters this season. Branden Dawson (Los Angeles Clippers) is in his rookie season after being selected in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft, while Keith Appling made his NBA debut with the Orlando Magic. They join former Spartans Alan Anderson (Washington), Draymond Green (Golden State), Gary Harris (Denver), Adreian Payne (Minnesota) and Zach Randolph (Memphis).
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 513-203 (.716), and 238-111 (.682) 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 .682 winning percentage in Big Ten games ranks fifth 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), former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (.685), and Ohio State's Thad Matta (.687). In all games, Matta ranks first at .754, followed by Ryan (.737), Knight (.734), Izzo (.716), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), and Lambert (.709). With 237 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.
