Fresh off making his first Final Four in 1999, MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo knew the 2000 season had the chance to be even more special. With nearly every key player returning for his senior season — including Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and A.J. Granger — Izzo felt his team had the talent, experience and toughness to win a national championship.
The MSU men’s basketball team won the Big Ten Championship the year before, but the Spartans dynasty arguably began in 1998-99.
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.
The MSU baseball team opened up Big Ten play this weekend at Illinois and quickly fell to the bottom of the pile in the conference after dropping all three games to the Fighting Illini.
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.
One minute away from the Elite Eight, the MSU women’s basketball team saw its dreams snatched from its grip, as Iowa State walked out of Haas Pavilion victorious 69-68 on Saturday in a Berkley Regional semifinal game.
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.