In an age in which some of the top college basketball players look to increase their own playing time and career prospects, the unselfishness within MSU basketball has vaulted the team to the Final Four.
Quite a few relationship dynamics exist across the roster but three stand out among the rest. Senior forward Branden Dawson and freshman forward Marvin Clark, senior guard Travis Trice and freshman guard Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr. and finally junior forward Matt Costello and sophomore forward Gavin Schilling have all formed bonds, and the strength of these unions are taking the team to places that previously seemed out of reach.
Although each pair is in a constant battle for minutes, the players have used the competition to help and improve one another.
“I’m just not sure in this society this day and age that’s normal,” head coach Tom Izzo said. “But for this team it’s normal, and it’s probably what’s taken a decent to good basketball team and on Saturday night gonna play in the greatest weekend of sports in our country.”
Clark has added depth to a bench that wasn’t always supportive and has played crucial minutes since the end of the regular season. When Costello fouled out with 2:21 left in Sunday’s Elite Eight matchup with Louisville, it was the freshman Clark who entered the game and played the ensuing overtime minutes.
Earlier in the year, Izzo was fed up with Clark. He thought his forward wasn’t being attentive and was falling into a pit of freshman struggles. It was Dawson who uncharacteristically mentored Clark and helped mold him into the role player he is today.
“Since I got here, BJ has taken me under his wing, showed me what I’m supposed to do and what I’m not supposed to do,” Clark said. “He’s helped me get through this process. He’s like a big brother to me, just a great person.”
Coaching can only do so much for a freshman. The experience and maturity of a senior can have a deeper reach to a young player, and years ago, when Draymond Green and Goran Suton wore the Michigan State ‘S,” that aspect was never more clear than in an early season practice.
According to Izzo, Green and Suton clashed with one another, taking things to a level “a little more heated than normal.” Izzo watched the two bark back and forth, and decided not to break it up. After practice, Suton pulled Green aside and said a few words to him, words that changed the relationship between the two and was the exact sort of action a senior should take, said Izzo.
Izzo has spoken of the importance of the play of his upperclassmen all year long. What they have done behind the scenes, however, has proven to be one of the largest reasons why the Spartans are fighting for a national championship berth.
“This is one of the things that has separated this year’s team from top to bottom,” Izzo said. “There is a — I don’t know if you can use the word — but there is a true love for one another and that is a powerful, powerful thing.”
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