And although those days are behind him, it’s the experiences he had elsewhere that are running through his mind as he prepares for his first NCAA Tournament.

“My year in junior college, we didn’t have a private jet or meals after every practice,” Wood said. “This is like nothing I’ve ever been a part of. I think that’s what makes me appreciate all this that much more. I’m just trying to soak it all in and take advantage of every single thing I see and person I meet.”

Wood transferred to MSU this season after two years at Valparaiso. Before that, he spent a year at Highland Community College and played six games at Southern Illinois before suffering a season-ending leg injury.

And after a bumpy ride those four years, Wood finally will make his one and only NCAA Tournament appearance, when the No. 1-seed Spartans take on No. 16-seed LIU Brooklyn at 9:20 in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Wood enters Friday coming off one of the best games of his MSU career after scoring 21 points and hitting four of five 3-pointers in the Spartans’ Big Ten Tournament championship game win over Ohio State on Sunday.

Among his family coming to Columbus is his dad, Anthony Wood. Having watched his son go through the struggles of the last four years before this season, Anthony said this weekend will be just as special for him as it will be for Brandon.

“Brandon has set a few goals for himself as far as basketball is concerned,” Anthony Wood said. “Playing in the NCAA Tournament, this is one that is definitely at or near the top. To see him work so hard, make sacrifices and finally reach a goal of his, it makes me happy for him. It also makes me proud as his parent.”

Both Brandon and his dad said they could never thank head coach Tom Izzo enough for the opportunity to play, especially now that Brandon’s one season in East Lansing has turned into such a successful one.

“They did some things they didn’t have to,” Brandon said of Izzo and the coaching staff. “(Izzo) could have said, ‘I don’t like the rule for whatever reason, we’ll pass.’ But they knew what I wanted, they know what they needed. … It’s worked out probably as good as it can work.

Brandon said he’s also thankful for senior forward Draymond Green, who helped recruit him to MSU after he announced he was leaving Valpo. Heading into this season, Green knew it was Brandon’s goal to play in the NCAA Tournament and wanted to help him make it there.
But now that he has, Green said it’s not time to be satisfied.

“It means a lot,” Green said of helping Brandon to the tournament.

“But one thing about Michigan State, we’re not just trying to reach the NCAA Tournament. We’re trying to make it to Final Fours and win championships. Brandon is the type of guy, I can guarantee you he’s not satisfied being in the NCAA Tournament anymore because he sees so many more bigger things.”

Brandon agreed with Green. And his performance against the Buckeyes on Sunday proved he’s ready for the big stage.

But that doesn’t mean when the Spartans hit the floor at Nationwide Arena on Friday in pursuit of the program’s third National Championship, Brandon Wood isn’t going to take a second to appreciate how far he’s come.

“This is what every kid dreams of growing up, hoping for the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament,” Wood said. “To actually be here and experience what goes on, I’m just trying to take advantage of it.”