“That’s a great line — over the last two practices — you’re supposed to say the last two weeks,” Izzo said with a smile. “But I think everybody’s aware with the kind of things we’ve been through and we have had a couple of good practices. … Even though it’s a crazy statement, I have to agree with him.”

MSU, the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament’s Midwest Region at 26-6 overall, plays 15-seeded Robert Morris (24-10) at approximately 9:50 p.m. Friday.

Even though the Spartans have notoriously struggled throughout the season with their inconsistency, the players’ confidence in their ability and hope for a deep run remains an important part of their motivation and focus for this weekend.

That said, those two qualities are part of every team’s psyche at this point, and senior guard Travis Walton said March is a new beginning for not just the Spartans, but everyone.

“It’s a new season whenever you come into the tournament, no matter who you’re playing and what their seeds are in the tournament you’re excited for it because you come in here 0-0,” Walton said. “Especially the smaller teams. They won their conference so they have their heads up.”

AAU reunion

When Morgan takes the court tonight, he’ll see a familiar face on the other bench. Jimmy Langhurst, a 5-foot-11 guard for Robert Morris, was a teammate of Morgan’s on an Amatuer Athletic Union, or AAU, team, the King James Shooting Stars.

Morgan said the two have communicated via text message for the past couple of days, “talking a little trash, but it’s all in good fun.”

MSU’s third-leading scorer had the utmost respect for Langhurst, calling him a leader, great shooter, great ball handler and smart player.

Despite that praise, when asked who was the better player for the Shooting Stars, Morgan responded quickly.

“I gotta go with me,” Morgan said with a laugh. “I ain’t going down on myself, it was me.”