Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Host Hoosiers On Valentine's Day
2/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| #8/9 Michigan State (20-5, 7-5) vs. #--/22 Indiana (20-5, 10-2) | |
| Date | Sunday, February 14, 2016 |
| Time | 1 p.m. ET |
| Location | East Lansing, Mich. | Breslin Center |
| Television | CBS (Ian Eagle, Bill Raftery) |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Will Tieman, Gus Ganakas, Matt Steigenga) | Sirius 84/XM 84 |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Indiana |
| Statistics | Michigan State | Indiana |
| Live Stats | |
| Social Media | @MSU_Basketball  | Facebook  | Instagram |
The Opening Tip
Michigan State looks to bounce back from an overtime defeat at Purdue as the Spartans host Indiana. The game features two of the better offensive teams in the Big Ten as the Spartans and Hoosiers both rank in the top four in the conference in scoring offense, field-goal percentage and 3-point field-goal percentage. In fact, both MSU and IU rank in the top six nationally in 3FG%.
The Starting Five
1. Valentine's Day
Michigan State is 14-10 all-time on Valentine's Day, including 12-4 at home. Last season, the Spartans defeated No. 23 Ohio State, 59-56, in Breslin Center as Denzel Valentine made things easy for headline writers and TV anchors by nailing a game-winning 3-pointer with 3.2 seconds remaining. Valentine led all scorers with 17 points against the Buckeyes.
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 stressed that it takes time for even the best players to return to form after missing weeks and that proved to be true with Valentine. In nine games since returning from injury, Valentine is averaging 19.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists, including 21.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists in the last seven contests. Before injury, he averaged 18.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists.
3. Izzo Named Hall Of Fame Finalist
On Feb. 12, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced 14 finalists from the North American and Women's committees, including MSU head coach Tom Izzo. Other first-time finalists include 27-year NBA referee Darell Garretson, eleven-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson, the first African American coach in a professional league John McLendon, three-time NBA Finals MVP Shaquille O'Neal, four-time WNBA Champion Sheryl Swoopes and 10-time AAU National Champions Wayland Baptist University. Previous finalists included again this year for consideration are the only coach in NCAA history to win 100 games at four different schools Charles "Lefty" Driesell, the all-time winningest high school coach Leta Andrews, the all-time winningest boys high school coach Robert Hughes, three-time NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson, three-time Consensus National College Coach of the Year Muffet McGraw, four-time Division III national champion coach Bo Ryan and four-time National Coach of the Year Eddie Sutton. The Class of 2016 will be announced on Monday, April 4 at a press conference in Houston, prior to the NCAA Men's Championship game.
4. 3-Point Attack On Record Pace
Michigan State has made 220 3-pointers this season, averaging 8.8 per contest. Should the Spartans maintain their current pace they will shatter the current record of 8.1 3-pointers per game established in 2013-14. The 220 3-pointers already tie the fourth-highest total (2010-11) in school history, trailing only 1999-2000 (253), 2014-15 (294) and 2013-14 (307).
5. Breslin Advantage
Michigan State is 361-56 (.866) at home all-time since Breslin Center opened in 1989, including 186-43 (.812) in Big Ten play. Under Tom Izzo, the Spartans are 287-41 (.875) at Breslin, including a 145-30 (.829) conference record.
MSU vs. Indiana Notes
Series History
Indiana leads the all-time series with Michigan State, 67-52, although the Spartans own a 37-22 advantage in East Lansing. Tom Izzo is 22-13 in his career against Indiana, including 16-1 at home. MSU has won 10 of the last 13 games in the series and 11 of the last 15.
Coach Crean
Tom Crean (Central Michigan, '89) is 331-212 in his 17th season as a Division I head coach, including 141-116 in his eighth season at Indiana. Prior to his arrival in Bloomington, Crean spent nine seasons as head coach at Marquette, guiding the Golden Eagles to the 2003 Final Four. Before his stint at Marquette, Crean was an assistant for four years (1995-99) under Coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State. While Crean was at MSU under Izzo, the Spartans went 88-41, won two Big Ten regular-season titles and appeared in the 1999 Final Four. Crean's first assistant position came at MSU in 1989-90, when he worked under Jud Heathcote as the Spartans won the Big Ten Championship and advanced to the Sweet 16.
The Last Meeting
Michigan State defeated Indiana, 74-72, on March 7, 2015, in Bloomington. The Spartans scored the final five points of the first half to tie the game at the break, 34-34. Leading 58-54 with 9:01 left, MSU went on a 9-2 run over the next 5:11 to take a 67-56 lead with 3:50 remaining. The Spartans hit just 7-of-14 foul shots in the final 1:53, including missing the front end of two one-and-ones. Yogi Ferrell had a chance to tie the game with two seconds left, but he made just one-of-two foul shots, allowing MSU to escape with the victory. Travis Trice led MSU with 21 points (18 in the second half), while Alvin Ellis III scored a career-high 16 points and Marvin Clark Jr., starting in place of an injured Branden Dawson, scored 14 points. The Spartans shot 43.8 percent from the floor and just 25.0 percent from 3-point range, but held a 17-6 edge in points off turnovers. Ferrell led IU with 21 points, while Nick Zeisloft and James Blackmon Jr. each added 17.
The Last Meeting In East Lansing
Michigan State defeated Indiana, 70-50, on Jan. 5, 2015, in East Lansing. MSU took command early with a 12-0 run to take a 13-2 lead less than seven minutes into the contest. Holding a 19-11 lead late in the first half, MSU got four straight points from Travis Trice. Indiana answered with a basket, only to watch Branden Dawson dunk twice in transition sandwiched around a Denzel Valentine 3-pointer as MSU took a commanding 30-13 lead. The Hoosiers never got closer than 15 points after that, as MSU would push the lead to 30 points in the second half. MSU led 36-17 at the half, shooting 44.1 percent from the floor, while holding Indiana to 17.9 percent, including just 9.1 percent (1-of-11) from 3-point range. Valentine led MSU with 15 points, while Dawson posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Yogi Ferrell was the only Hooiser in double figures with 17 points.
Hoosier Notes
Indiana ranks second in the nation in field-goal percentage (.509) and sixth in 3-point field-goal percentage ... Twelve different Hoosiers have made a 3-pointer, including four players who average more than one make per game ... IU ranks second in the Big Ten in both 3-point field-goal percentage (.420) and 3-point field goals per game (9.9) ... Senior Yogi Ferrell is one of 10 finalists for the Cousy Award, given to the nation's top point guard.
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.
Valentine leads the Big Ten in assists (6.9 apg) and scoring (19.0 ppg), while ranking tied for fifth in rebounding (7.9 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 (6.7 drpg), first in 3-point field goals made (3.4 pg) and fourth in FT percentage (.839). 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 13 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.
From Beyond the Arc
Michigan State currently ranks first in the Big Ten and third nationally, shooting .422 from behind the arc overall. In conference games, the Spartans are shooting a Big Ten-best .446, after shooting .537 over the last four contests (58-108). Individually, the Spartans are led by Bryn Forbes at .487, ranking fifth in the nation and first in the Big Ten, while Denzel Valentine ranks ninth in the conference at .438. Valentine leads the Big Ten in made 3-pointers, averaging 3.4 per contest, while Forbes ranks third (3.0 pg). Ten different Spartans have made a 3-pointer. MSU ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made (220, 8.8 pg) overall, and third in conference games (111, 9.3 pg). Defensively, MSU also ranks sixth in the nation in 3-point field-goal percentage defense (.289).
It's All About Boardwork
Michigan State owns an impressive +12.1 rebounding margin, ranking second in the nation and first in the Big Ten, as the Spartans have out-rebounded 22 of 25 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 554 of 719 opponents (.771), posting a 439-115 (.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.
Potent Offense Best Of Izzo Era
Michigan State averages 79.5 points per game, which currently stands as the highest average in Tom Izzo's 21 seasons. The 2004-05 season holds the Izzo-era mark for a full season at 78.5 ppg. It's the highest scoring team at MSU since the 1985-86 Spartans averaged 83.1 points in Scott Skiles' senior season.
Oh So Close!
Three of Michigan State's five defeats have come by one point, including one overtime loss. MSU has not lost three games by one point since the 1981-82 season. The 1962-63 and 1919-20 Spartans also lost three games by a single point. Michigan State has never lost four one-point games in a single season.
Forbes On Fire
A great shooter for his entire career, Bryn Forbes has been especially proficient over the last five games. Despite a 1-of-7 effort vs. Purdue, Forbes is shooting .579 (22-38) from behind the arc in the last five contests.
NBA All-Star
Draymond Green will play in his first NBA All-Star game Sunday night as a reserve for the West squad. 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 Feb. 11, Green is averaging 14.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists, leading the NBA with 10 triple-doubles.
Defensive Effort
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, 63.6), field-goal percentage defense (4th, .373) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (6th, .289). Just 11 teams have shot better than 40 percent from the field and just eight have bettered 35 percent behind the 3-point arc.
Dominating NCAA Stats
It's not surprising given their 20-5 record, but the Spartans are dominating the NCAA statistics (through games of Feb. 11), ranking in the Top Ten nationally in 11 categories, including total assists (1st, 511), assists per game (1st, 20.4), rebound margin (2nd, +12.1), assist-to-turnover ratio (2nd, 1.69), defensive rebounds per game (2nd, 30.08), total rebounds (3rd, 1065), total rebounds per game (3rd, 42.6), 3-point field-goal percentage (3rd, .422), scoring margin (4th, +15.8), field-goal percentage defense (4th, .373) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (6th, .289).
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 third in the Big Ten in blocks (1.9 bpg), second in field-goal percentage (.624) and has scored in double-figures in nine games. He's started the last seven games, averaging 6.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 19.9 minutes. Davis is a two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, including capturing the honor on Feb. 1, after averaging 11.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 7.0 points in a pair of wins. His first honor came on Nov. 30 after averaging 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in four games.
Basketball-Football Balance
Michigan State is one of six schools to be ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 in both football and men's basketball as the Spartans are currently ranked No. 8 in basketball and No. 6 in football. Oklahoma, North Carolina, Iowa, Baylor and Oregon are the other schools with both programs ranked. (Football AP Top 25-Jan. 12; Basketball AP Top 25-Feb. 8).
All-Time Block Leaders
Matt Costello is tied with Drew Naymick for third in MSU history with 134 blocks. Adreian Payne ranks second with 141 blocks. Branden Dawson is the MSU career leader with 142 blocks. Costello blocked 43 shots as a sophomore and 48 as a junior.
Spartans Share The Ball
Unselfishness is a trademark of all Tom Izzo teams. Michigan State is averaging a nation's-best 20.3 assists, recording an assist on 511 of 712 field goals, good for a nation's-best 71.8 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.
Costello Steps Up
Senior Matt Costello is having his best season as a Spartan, averaging 9.9 points and a team-best 8.2 rebounds. More importantly, he has raised his game in the last 13 contests, beginning with the four games in which Denzel Valentine was out of action with an injury, averaging 12.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. He 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 five of the last 13 games. He's averaging a double-double in conference games at 12.3 points, ranking third on the team, and a Big Ten-best 10.1 rebounds, as his four double-doubles in conference play rank second in the Big Ten.
Rejection By Davis
In less than a year, Deyonta Davis is proving to be one of the best shot blockers in MSU history. With 48 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 48 blocks also tie the seventh-best single season total at MSU (Matt Costello-48 blocks, 2014-15). He needs two blocks to tie DuJuan Wiley (50 blocks, 1997-98), three to tie Ron Charles (51 blocks, 1979-80) and seven to tie Drew Naymick (55 blocks, 2006-07). His six blocks at Northwestern established a Michigan State freshman single-game record.
Forbes For Three
Senior Bryn Forbes is proving to be one of top shooters in the country. For his career, he's made 288-of-668 attempts from behind the arc, good for a .431 shooting percentage. He's made a 3-pointer in 114 of 128 career games, including in 22 of 25 contests this season. He's opened 2015-16 by making 76-of-156 (.487), ranking fifth in the nation and first in the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage. Forbes has made three or more 3-pointers in 15 games and ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made (3.0).
Making The Most Of An Opportunity
Junior Eron Harris has started 12 games this season, scoring in double figures in eight of the 12. In his 12 starts, he's averaging 12.1 points, shooting .443 from the field, .462 from 3-point range, and .825 from the foul line.
The Turnover Story
Michigan State is 8-1 this season when committing the same number or fewer turnovers than its opponent, with the lone loss coming in overtime vs. Purdue. The Spartans have had single-digit turnovers in 10 games. Michigan State is averaging 12.2 turnovers in its 20 wins and 12.0 in its five losses. MSU's current 12.1 turnovers per game average is the third-lowest of the Tom Izzo era, behind only the 2014-15 (11.3) and 2013-14 (11.6) squads.
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 134 career games, he's totaled 1,449 points, 787 rebounds and 542 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)
Halftime Leads
Michigan State is a perfect 17-0 when leading at the half. The Spartans have also shown the ability to bounce back when trailing at the half, overcoming halftime deficits vs. Kansas (35-41), Louisville (29-32) and Oakland (37-50).
Improved Foul Shooting
Michigan State ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 73rd in the nation in free-throw percentage, shooting .725 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 15 points in the first half and 13 at the half, and also trailed Kansas and Louisville by 13 points in the first half. Against Purdue, MSU rallied from an 18-point second-half deficit to lead by four points, before eventually falling to the Boilermakers in overtime.
Home-Grown Talent
Michigan State's projected starting lineup includes four Spartans who went to high school in Michigan. This includes both the 2012 (Matt Costello) and 2015 (Deyonta Davis) Michigan Mr. Basketball winners.
20-Win Seasons
With a win over Michigan, MSU recorded its 16th 20-win season in the last 19 years, all under head coach Tom Izzo. Of the 24 20-win seasons in Spartan history, Izzo has been involved in 21 of them, 16 as a head coach and five as an assistant.
Izzo Second In Wins At A Big Ten School
With 515 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 13 games. Counting the Dec. 19 contest (the last of MSU's first 12), MSU has used seven different lineups in the last 14 games. MSU has used the same lineup of Valentine, Bryn Forbes, Eron Harris, Matt Costello and Deyonta Davis in the last six contests.
Tum Tum Out Of Action
Michigan State point guard Tum Tum Nairn Jr. has missed the last seven games due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. With 81 assists and just 17 turnovers on the season, he ranks fifth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.8). In his last 15 games, he 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.
Offensive Rebounding
MSU leads the Big Ten with 12.5 offensive rebounds per game, while ranking second in offensive rebound percentage, grabbing 37.2 percent of its missed shots. The Spartans are averaging 12.5 second-chance points per contest, outscoring opponents by a +3.9 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 598-472 (.559) in league play, including 240-112 (.682) under Tom Izzo, who ranks third in league history with 240 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 240-112, 12.5 games better than second-place Wisconsin (227-124).
Spartan Depth
Ten Spartans average 10 minutes per game, while 12 average more than seven 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.)
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 four double-doubles (vs. Binghamton, UMES, Maryland and Purdue), while Matt Costello (vs. UAPB, Oakland, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maryland and Rutgers) has six double-doubles and Deyonta Davis (vs. Florida Atlantic) has one.
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 203 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 (180), Duke (175) and Kentucky (171).
Valentine Lends A Helping Hand
Denzel Valentine leads the Big Ten and ranks seventh in the nation, averaging 6.9 assists per contest. With 542 assists for his career, he ranks eighth in MSU history, ahead of Earvin Johnson (491), and 13 behind Travis Walton (555). In games in which he has played, Valentine has either made or assisted on 47.2 percent of MSU's field goals, including 48.7 percent in games which he has started. He also boasts a career-best 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio.
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, and on Feb. 10 was named to the Wooden Award Late Season Top 20. 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 Midseason Watch List 35. He is one of 10 finalists 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 134 career games, needing to play in 12 more to hold sole position of the top spot in Spartan history. Valentine ranks eighth in MSU career assists (542), needing 27 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 232 made 3-pointers and fourth with 578 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. Valentine was named Big Ten Player of the Week for a third time on Feb. 8.
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).
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 20th in MSU history with 1,449 career points. He needs 20 points to pass Charlie Bell (1,468 points). Bryn Forbes has 1,583 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 1,109 career points after totaling 873 in two seasons at West Virginia.
MSU In The Polls
Michigan State is currently ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25 and No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Four other Big Ten schools are ranked including Maryland (No. 2 Associated Press/No. 2 USA Today), Iowa (No. 4/5), Purdue (No. 18/16) and Indiana (--/No. 22). In addition to the conference opponents, MSU defeated Kansas (No. 6/6) in the Champions Classic, defeated Providence (No. 20/T-17) in the Wooden Legacy, and defeated Louisville (No. 13/--) 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.
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 515-204 (.716), and 240-112 (.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 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), former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (.685), and ahead of Ohio State's Thad Matta (.681). In all games, Matta ranks first at .751, followed by Ryan (.737), Knight (.734), Izzo (.716), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), and Lambert (.709). With 240 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.
