With the MSU men’s basketball team locking up its fourth trip to the Sweet 16 in the last five years, the Spartans continue to establish themselves as one of the best tournament programs in the country.
And although that’s all fine and good, senior forward Draymond Green said players and teams aren’t remembered for making the Sweet 16.
“It’s another opportunity to possibly reach a Final Four,” Green said Monday. “It’s just one of those moments you have to go through to make it to the final destination.”
No. 1-seed MSU takes on No. 4-seed Louisville at 7:47 p.m. on Thursday in Phoenix. It marks the Spartans’ 10th Sweet 16 since 1998, putting them behind only Duke for most appearances (12) in that time span.
Head coach Tom Izzo said he’s not exactly sure why his teams have been able to consistently reach the Sweet 16, but he does have an idea.
“I think that speaks about some leadership, I really do,” Izzo said. “You go to these tournaments, and you’re in the hotels. That’s when all these distractions start.”
The 17-year head coach also said the short walk-throughs he puts his players through on the off days keep guys focused.
Green said that focus goes back to knowing there is a bigger end goal than simply making it to the tournament and winning a couple games.
“It’s just another step in the road to get where we’re really trying to go,” Green said.
Learning experience
Sunday’s 65-61 win against Saint Louis in Columbus, Ohio, wasn’t pretty. MSU struggled at times, and some of the young Spartans went through some growing pains.
But Izzo said he’s happy with the way it all turned out.
“I think (Sunday) was a great day because we were able to have a learning day and still win,” Izzo said.
“Usually you can only learn because something bad happens. You lose a game, and then you got to wait a whole year.”
Freshman guard Brandan Kearney had a particularly tough game. And after committing a foul in the second half, Kearney went to the bench visibly upset.
Green said he used that as a chance to teach Kearney about the his demeanor and making sure he isn’t seen as a “bad apple.”
“We know you were upset with yourself,” Green recalled telling Kearney. “But it won’t be perceived as that.”
Kearney took the lesson well, and both Izzo and Green said they expect him to come back better than he’s been all season for the rest of the tournament, however long that might be.
“Everybody grew up from that game (Sunday),” Green said. “And I think it can help us down the road.”
I double-dog dare you
In Sunday’s win, Saint Louis dropped off sophomore guard Keith Appling, begging him to shoot the ball from long range because of his recent shooting woes.
Appling made the Billikens pay, scoring 19 points and hitting a clutch 3-pointer in the game’s final minutes.
Izzo doesn’t expect Louisville to use similar tactics, given the Cardinals’ in-your-face style, but if it happens again, he said the Spartans will be prepared.
And Green said he hopes it happens again.
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“I just dare somebody to play him like Saint Louis did,” Green said.
“Because if they play him like that, he’s going to be able to knock down some shots.”
