Korie Lucious thought he knew how prestigious the Final Four was. Then the freshman guard met senior guard Travis Walton. That’s when Lucious truly understood what it takes to make it to college basketball’s biggest stage.
Throngs of fans pushed and shoved their way into Breslin Center on Sunday night hoping to catch a glimpse of the men’s basketball players back in town after a victory against Louisville.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, senior guard Travis Walton collapsed into a ball in front of the MSU bench. As his teammates stormed the court to celebrate MSU’s 64-52 victory over Louisville, Walton just knelt there, head bowed between his legs, heart throbbing, tears jetting from his eyes.
School: MSU (30-6) Location: East Lansing Region: Midwest Conference: Big Ten Key players: Senior center Goran Suton (10.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game), sophomore guard Kalin Lucas (14.7 points per game, Big Ten Player of the Year), senior guard Travis Walton (third-year captain and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year). How they got here: Defeated No.
About a decade ago, Goran Suton hadn’t even heard of the Final Four. Next weekend, the senior center will have a chance to experience it. And because of him, so will his teammates.
Remember the date: March 29, 2009. The significance? It’s the day Durrell Summers became a man. Summers, MSU’s soft-spoken sophomore guard, scored 10 points during a crucial stretch in the second half, fueling the Spartans past Louisville, 64-52, and into the Final Four.
This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. At least, that’s what they said. And by “they,” I mean everyone.
As the buzzer sounded to end the MSU women’s basketball team’s season Saturday night, the players hung their heads.
The university announced plans to hold a welcome back rally for the men’s basketball team tonight at Breslin Center following the team’s 64-52 win over Louisville in the Elite Eight in Indianapolis.
At the conclusion of a practice in late February, Tom Izzo instructed his MSU men’s basketball team to walk up the arena steps from the Breslin Center floor and meet him on the concourse. Once the Spartans were there, the MSU head coach told his team to look outside, where the February sun had not yet faded at the 5 o’clock hour.
Berkeley, Calif. — With one shot, MSU’s glass slipper was shattered. Iowa State junior guard Alison Lacey hit a 3-pointer in the final minute of play to send the Spartans packing with a 69-68 loss in a Berkeley Regional semifinal Saturday night.
Berkeley, Calif. — Months ago, the MSU women’s basketball team gathered in a team meeting and coined a motto. This was to be, quite literally, a mission statement.
Berkeley, Calif. — A last-second shot attempt didn’t fall for the MSU women’s basketball team, who dropped its Sweet 16 game to Iowa State, 69-68.
Indianapolis — Last season, Rick Pitino’s Louisville basketball team lost in the Elite Eight. This season, the Cardinals are back.
Indianapolis — With the biggest game of his career one day ahead of him, Travis Walton said basketball takes priority over everything else. Even sleeping.
Indianapolis — MSU junior forward Raymar Morgan wasn’t the player of the game. But he certainly looked the part. Morgan’s face, marred by a swollen and crooked nose, symbolized a basketball game that felt more like a fight between two heavyweight boxers.
Indianapolis — All season long, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo has used the word “fragile” to describe his team. Kalin Lucas said its time to remove that label. After the sophomore guard’s gritty performance Friday against Kansas, Izzo might not have a choice. Lucas scored seven points during the last minute, none more important than his jumper with 48.1 seconds that broke a 60-60 tie and brought MSU within a game of the Final Four.
Indianapolis — Any win in the NCAA Tournament is a big one, but it’s how the MSU men’s basketball team won against Kansas on Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium that impressed head coach Tom Izzo the most.
Indianapolis — Ten first half turnovers, a rebounding disadvantage and some wide-open missed shots. It sounds like a perfect recipe for a fiery halftime speech by MSU head coach Tom Izzo — or, even worse, senior guard Travis Walton.
Berkeley, Calif. — Though it was more than 2,000 miles from East Lansing, the MSU women’s basketball team spent much of its time Friday morning talking to the press about what happened back in Michigan.