The Michigan State Spartans hopes were confirmed when Durrell Summers and Kalin Lucas both announced that they will return next season.
The announcement instantly pushes the Spartans up high in the rankings and raises hopes of another national championship in Lansing.
Summers, who was a solid player but nothing special, came out of nowhere to become one of the best players in the NCAA tournament this year.
Lucas had been widely regarded as one of the top point guards in the country but missed the end of the team’s tournament run because of a torn ACL.
The point guard is working hard to rehab the injury and is hopeful that he will be 100 percent in time for the start of basketball practice next fall.
Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 12:07 pm by steve
The Michigan State Spartans couldn’t pull out another close game, falling to the Butler Bulldogs, 52-50.
In a game that started out with both teams firing away from three-point range, defense was the name of the game in the second half.
Both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket, although credit must go to the work on the defensive end.
The Spartans had plenty of opportunities to grab the lead, but lady luck finally ran out on them.
Despite the loss, Michigan State has to be excited about next year since they will lose just Raymar Morgan.
Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 7:24 am by steve
In a slowdown, half-court game, the little things are magnified. Free throws, turnovers, rebounding.
Michigan State fell short in all three categories, and as a result, its season is over.
The Butler Bulldogs defeated the Spartans in a sloppy, bogged-down game, using solid defense and free throw shooting en route to a 52-50 win in the Final Four.
Butler successfully controlled the pace of the game and despite going without a field goal for 10+ minutes in the second half, held off every Michigan State rally. Butler shot just 30 percent for the game, but forced 16 turnovers while committing just eight, grabbed four more offensive rebounds, and make seven more free throws.
The Spartans had their chances to seize the game late, but down one with seconds remaining, Draymond Green’s layup came up short. And then down three with two seconds left and at the free throw line, an intentionally-missed second attempt was secured by Butler to seal the victory.
Michigan State had a remarkable run to the Final Four, given all its injuries. But losing a game like this one, that was its for the taking, will certainly leave a sour taste in its mouth.
Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 3:29 pm by Raj Sethi
Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo is at the top of list for Oregon’s coaching search.
In fact, the Ducks are set to offer Izzo the biggest contract ever given to a college basketball head coach.
Oregon is set to move into a new $200 million arena and has the backing of Nike founder Phi Knight.
Knight has made it clear that he wants a big-time name to put their stamp on the Oregon basketball program.
Izzo said that he hasn’t heard from anyone yet but that he is perfectly happy at Michigan State.
Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 10:13 am by steve
The Michigan State Spartans continued their surprising march through the NCAA tournament with a 70-69 win over the Tennessee Volunteers.
The win pushes the Spartans into the Final Four where they will face Butler in a bi-partisan Indianapolis.
It is head coach Tom Izzo’s sixth final four in 12 seasons, which is matched only by Coach K.
Many believe this may be Izzo’s most unlikely Final Four team and his best coaching job ever.
Michigan State certainly seems like the underdog with all of their injuries, but this team may just have a couple of more wins in them.
at 7:05 am by steve
