Finally, it's time to dance.
With an up-and-down regular season now behind them, it's time for the Spartans to head to the one place they have found comfort: the NCAA Tournament.
MSU tips off with George Mason at 7:10 p.m. tonight at the University of Dayton Arena. The winner of this game will go on to face the winner of the North Carolina/Murray State game in the second round.
George Mason finished the season with a 23-7 record, but was one of the last at-large teams to earn a berth into the field of 65. The Patriots are 0-3 in three NCAA Tournament appearances, the last coming in 2001.
The Spartans are 2-0 all-time against the Patriots, the last coming on Dec. 5, 2004, with a 66-60 MSU victory.
"I watched our game with them last year and they have most of their players back," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said. "It was a close game last year out there. They do have five guys in double figures."
One of those five is guard Tony Skinn, who averages 12.8 points per game. Skinn will not play after being suspended for one NCAA Tournament game for punching a Hofstra player in the groin during the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.
That will force the Patriots to rely even more heavily on Jai Lewis, the big center who is averaging 14 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Lewis can also knock down the occasional 3-point shot.
"Lewis is a big fella," Izzo said. "He's 6-7, 6-8 and they list him at 275, and that's with a generous scale, I think. He's a big guy."
The Patriots also feature forward Will Thomas in the front court. Thomas averages 11.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
"They've got two guys who really fit into their system and their offense real well," senior center Paul Davis said. "For us, we can't let the big hurt us. We have to beat them on the boards and have to beat them up and down the court."
What Izzo is most impressed by is how George Mason plays defense.
"That concerns me because that is usually what wins at this time of year," Izzo said. "That has been verified not only by their stats, but by their play. There's not a lot of pressing and things, just solid, get-after-you-a-little-bit defense. Maybe a poor-man's Illinois in that respect."
After a grueling three days in the Big Ten Tournament, Izzo's squad was happy to hear that the game would be Friday and not Thursday.
"It's big to play on Friday," sophomore guard Drew Neitzel said. "On Thursday, you can watch some of the games, get a feel for the tournament and get an extra day of rest."
The Spartans and Patriots had one common opponent this season — Wichita State — with both teams overcoming the Shockers. Izzo, fresh off a Final Four run last season, still believes that these team members have it in them to do some good things this time around.
"This team is capable of making a very good run. I don't think that is a dream," Izzo said.
"We can play with anybody."
