With about 100 Izzone members in attendance to send the MSU men’s basketball team off to Phoenix for the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, Andrew Klimbal came away a little disappointed.
The construction management senior and other Izzone members were at Breslin Center on Monday afternoon with the impression the send-off would be more than just a wave goodbye as the team bus drove away.
“I was a little disappointed,” Klimbal said. “I kind of understand it though, they don’t want (the team) to lose focus.”
After driving past the group of fans, the team bus briefly stopped and opened the door, leaving Klimbal a little confused.
“What I thought was weird was that (Spartan guard Branden) Dawson was left off the bus right outside Breslin Center,” Klimbal said.
When Dawson got off, some members thought the rest of the team would follow and say a couple words of goodbye, but Dawson walked across the street toward South Neighborhood without a word.
Other than that little disappointment, Spartan fans were revved up for their team’s potential Final Four berth during the event.
“I don’t think anyone expected us to make such an impact this year,” international relations freshman Michelle Holcomb said, who was there to support her team before they drove off.
“I’m actually already planning (the trip down to New Orleans for the Final Four), because I know in my heart they will make it.”
Other Izzone members were just as excited about this year’s success.
“(The Izzone) went through an emotional battle last year when our team wasn’t as good as they should’ve been,” said English sophomore Garrison Rasmussen, who attended the event Monday.
“But I have the feeling they’ll win the championship (this year).”
The Spartans will take on No. 4-seed Louisville at 7:47 p.m Thursday at US Airways Center in Phoenix.
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