The Big Ten Tournament is six years old this season, but MSU head coach Tom Izzo isn't convinced its growing pains are done.
As the men's basketball team prepares for this weekend's tournament in Chicago, Izzo said Monday the Big Ten Tournament is, at best, a mixed blessing for players and coaches as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament the following week.
Izzo said the revenue and exposure the conference generates for Big Ten programs is a positive, but the "one and done" philosophy surrounding the Big Ten Tournament isn't the best representative of a season of hard work.
"All you harp on all season is playing 40 minutes," Izzo said. "And as the year goes on you try to find a way to think you're better than you are.
"Once you experience a one and done, it doesn't look like it hurts you but it smacks you right in the mouth."
Feast or famine
After a one-year hiatus, the Big Ten Tournament is returning to Chicago's United Center. The Spartans' luck in the Windy City, however, has Izzo blown away.
MSU has a 6-2 record in Big Ten Tournament games at the United Center. But the record is not reflective of success. MSU has twice lost in their first game and twice captured the championship.
But win or lose, MSU's field goal shooting has been a spotty 45 percent over the eight games. Izzo remains fuddled.
"Pro teams don't shoot well there," Izzo joked. "People say the rims are tight, but I don't know.
"Maybe we should move (the tournament) to Ohio State."
Injury update
Just when MSU was relatively on the mend, the injury bug has struck yet again. This time, to familiar faces.
Sophomore forward/guard Alan Anderson sat out Sunday's practice with a strained left shoulder he suffered against Ohio State after hitting the floor while diving for a loose ball. And junior forward Adam Wolfe was poked inadvertently in the eye during a drill Sunday, shattering his contact lens.
Izzo said both players are expected to suit up for Friday's matchup with Purdue, however he didn't expect either to be full strength.
"I don't think we'll know much until (Tuesday)," Izzo said of Anderson's injury. "Do I think he'll play? Yes. Do I think he'll be 100 hundred percent? 90 or 80 percent."
Izzo added although Wolfe had some slight vision problems, he is expected to be fully recovered by Friday.
Deane of students
Purdue guard Willie Deane was named the Big Ten Player of the Week on Monday, garnering the award for the third time this season.
Deane drained a career-high 36 points against Michigan on Saturday, connecting on four 3-pointers and shooting 50 percent from the field in Purdue's 69-61 win. He joins Michigan point guard Daniel Horton as the only other three-time recipient this season.
Deane's shooting clinic gave him the second-highest scoring average in the conference (19.8) and the win put Purdue in a third-place tie with Michigan and MSU in the final Big Ten regular-season standings.
