Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Brad Stevens and his No. 5 seed Butler Bulldogs (32-4) will travel a few traffic lights to Lucas Oil Stadium for a Final Four showdown with Tom Izzo and his No. 5 Michigan State Spartans (28-8).

Plot: Horizon League meets Big Ten for a date in the national championship.

Sub-plot: Butler has not lost since December – a streak that includes 24 games. The Bulldogs are familiar with their surroundings playing within 10 miles of their Indianapolis campus. Izzo and and the Spartans are familiar with the event making their sixth Final Four appearance in the past 12 years.

Flashback: MSU leads 13-10 in a series that dates back to 1927. The Spartans won the last meeting on December 20, 1971, 77-71.

In their 24th Dance trip the Spartans are playing their eighth Final Four. Butler is making its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance and first trip to the national semi-final.

Foreshadowing: Thirty-seven Spartans have earned roster spots in the National Basketball Association, including current players Charlie Bell, Shannon Brown, Paul Davis, Morris Peterson, Zach Randolph, and Jason Richardson. Butler is waiting on its first NBA guy.

Conflict: Butler scores fewer points per game, but the Bulldogs hold a greater scoring margin. Butler scores 69.4 and keeps opponents to 59.6. MSU averages 72.4 while limiting opposing teams to 64.1.

Which team will dictate the pace?

If the game is decided in the paint, the Spartans grab 8.9 more boards than their opponents. The Spartans understand the importance of shot selection and how it creates rebounding opportunities.

When Kalin Lucas went down with a season-ending injury, the Spartans needed someone to replace their leading scorer. Korie Lucious has been the man scoring double figures in two of three games since then, including a game-winning three pointer against Maryland.

Raymar Morgan and Durrell Summers combine for 22 points and almost 12 rebounds.

Draymond Green scores almost 10 and grabs eight boards.

Gordon Hayward leads four Bulldogs in double digits. The silky smooth swing man provides versatility to the lineup. At 6′9″, Hayward can go inside and get work done. He averages almost nine boards a game and can finish in the paint. Hayward has also hit 42 trifectas on the season.  Stevens has called on Hayward to run the offense from time to time.

Matt Howard adds 12 points and five rebounds. He is text-book type of player in the paint whose work could be a how-to video used at summer camp.

Shelvin Mack leads the Bulldogs with 65 three pointers. Mack hits 40 percent from long range.

The only senior in the lineup, Willie Veasley, chips in 10 points and four rebounds.

Ronald Nored runs the point at just a touch under 2 : 1 assist to turnovers.

Zach Hahn comes off the becnh and hits 42.3 percent from long range.

Resolution: Seeing is believing. Any doubt that Butler is good has been dismissed over the past two weeks. Many looked at their numbers and thought the Bulldogs’ success was the product of playing in the Horizon League.

Maybe, the Horizon League is better than popular opinion thinks.

Izzo and the Spartans have the experience. Butler has talent. The Bulldogs have not flinched despite losing leads late in recent games. The Spartans have the experience that will matter on the floor. MSU wins a close one.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

By Paul Gotham

With four teams alive and kicking in the quest to cut down the nets in Indianapolis, it is time to look at how each of them got to this point.

Michigan State Spartans

Previous tournament appearances

1957 (Final Four), 1959 (Elite 8), 1978 (Elite 8), 1979 (National Champion), 1985, 1986 (Sweet 16), 1990 (Sweet 16), 1991 (second round), 1992 (second round), 1994 (second round), 1995, 1998 (Sweet 16), 1999 (Final Four), 2000 (National Champion), 2001 (Final Four), 2002, 2003 (Elite 8), 2004, 2005 (Final Four), 2006, 2007 (second round), 2008 (Sweet 16), 2009 (Finalist).

Tournament games

New Mexico St. 70-67

Maryland 85-83

N. Iowa 59-52

Tennessee 70-69

Ranked teams played during the regular season and results

12/1 #11 North Carolina L 82-89

12/22 #2 Texas L 68-79

1/6 #20 Wisconsin W 54-47

2/2 #16 Wisconsin L 49-67

2/9 #6 Purdue L 64-76

2/21 # 12 Ohio State L 67-74

2/28 #3 Purdue W 53-44

Un-ranked NCAA Tournament teams played against

11/17 Gonzaga W 75-71

2/27 Florida L 74-77

12/10 Oakland W 88-57

1/13 Minnesota W 60-53

1/23 @Minnesota W 65-64

3/12 Minnesota L 67-72

Stats of identity

8.7 Rebound margin – number one on the country. Two better than any team remaining (West Virginia – 6.6).

16.5 Assists – number ten in the country. Tops of the four left standing. This is despite the fact that their scoring offense is ranked 93rd in the nation. The Spartans move the ball.

47.2 Field goal percentage – better than the other three teams.

3.25 – Michigan State’s average margin of victory in the tournament.

Kalin Lucas is on the bench with his team-leading 14.8 ppg and 4 apg. Fans of the Green need not worry. There are plenty of guns ready to take the reins.

Raymar Morgan averages 11.5, but Durrell Summers is getting 20 a game in the Tournament. Summers has connected on 16 3-pointers in the Dance.

Draymond Green gets almost ten rebounds a game.

Chris Allen’s 53 3-balls lead the way along with the junior’s 39.8 percent accuracy from long range.

Summers hits 80 percent from the free throw line. Morgan’s 94-138 from the charity stripe leads both categories.

Korie Lucious hands out 3.3 assists per game.

With Izzo on the sidelines, the Spartans are always dangerous. Saturday’s game with Butler will be an interesting study in pace and flow. Michigan State can switch speeds. Can Butler?

By Paul Gotham

Coaching through adversity

To get to the Elite Eight or Final Four a team has to confront its fair share of hurdles. Some teams have more than others. Tom Izzo, Bruce Pearl, and Bob Huggins deserve a tip of the hat. Each of these guys guided their squads through some trying times.

New Years was not a time of celebration for Pearl. Four of his guys were in a car when it was pulled over by police. Guns, dope, and open container were the news du jour in Knoxville.

Instead of panicking, Pearl circled the wagons.  He suspended Tyler Smith, Brian Williams, Melvin Goins, and Cameron Tatum while the legal process took place. In the mean time, the Vols knocked off then No. 1 Kansas. Eventually, Williams, Tatum, and Goins were reinstated. Smith, the Vols’ leading scorer, was removed from the team.  Tennessee’s run ended this past weekend. What could have been a disaster turned into the Vols reaching the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.

Huggins could have fallen back on excuses. Reasons were there for the taking. He was preparing for arguably the best team in the country, with the most explosive offense, and the most explosive combination of players. To make matters worse, the Mountaineers losing “Truck” Bryant seemed the end of the season for West Virginia. Instead, Huggins got a great performance out of his squad for the win.

What can be said about Tom Izzo, that has not already been stated? While others recruit, Izzo coaches. Add to that, the guy does not air his dirty laundry in public. Everyone knew there were problems in the Spartan program this year. A few benchings and suspensions indicated motivation was an issue for the Green. Rest assured, Izzo confronted each and every one of those problems. If MSU is going to win, they are going to do it the right way. Add to all of that the untimely injury to Kalin Lucas, and it looked like the Spartans would return to East Lansing after advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. To no real surprise, Izzo figured out how to get it done, and the Spartans moved on to Indianapolis. Six Final Fours since 1999 – the guy can coach.

Was it a charge?

No! Brian Zoubek did not have his feet set. Quincy Acy should not have been called for a charge. Zoubek should have fouled out. That’s the extent of that one play. Baylor was whistled for 21 fouls yesterday. In the Bears’ other losses this year they were called for 24, 23, 21, 20, 22, 21, and 25. The zebras did NOT cost Baylor the game. Baylor lost because of the 23 offensive rebounds Duke pulled down. 23?!?

And, had Scheyer knocked down those three WIDE open looks, that game might have been a blowout.

As for Baylor – Wow! What a team. Tweety Carter and Josh Lomers are the only seniors. Here’s hoping Coach Drew can keep LaceDarius and Epke Udoh around for another year. They could be fun to watch.

Has there been a shift in the Big 12?

Could the top of the Big 12 take on a new look next year? Sherrod Collins is a senior. Cole Aldrich is foregoing his senior season. Xavier Henry is not far behind. The Jayhawks should lose a step. The Texas Longhorns don’t seem to be able to get out of their own way.

The Bears have just the two seniors previously mentioned. Kansas State loses one starter – Denis Clemente.  Next year, Baylor and Kansas State might be battling for the top of the conference.

The cautionary tale of Todd Lickliter

Three years ago, Todd Lickliter led Butler to the Sweet 16. It was the team’s and coach’s second trip to the regional semi-finals in four years. The time seemed right for Lickliter to make a career advancement. He took the head position at Iowa State.

Fast forward. Butler is the talk of American basketball community. Lickliter is looking for a job.

Now, is the time for the coaching merry-go-round to pick up speed. Fran McCaffery left Siena for Iowa. Kevin Willard moved from Iona to Seton Hall. Financially, these jobs make sense. Just as Lickliter’s advancement made sense.

If allowed, ambition can shackle the unsuspecting.

Another coaching vacancy

In 1985, three Big East teams made the Final Four. Can you name them? I’ll give you a minute.

If you guessed Villanova, you are right. That was the year the Wildcats surprised everyone. Rollie Massimino and his squad tripped the heavily-favored Georgetown Hoyas. The third Big East team? The long forgotten St. John’s (at the time) Redmen. That was one of 15 NCAA Tournament appearances in 17 years for the Johnnies. Hoops fans knew well the sweaters of Lou Carnesecca.

Currently, St. John’s hasn’t won a tournament game since 2000. Who is going to bring back the pride to St. John’s?

No love for Cinderella?

A few radio personalities commented about the onset of schools from outside the “power” conferences advancing in the tournament. The suggestion was that these teams cheapen the importance of the tournament. References were made to those unlikely teams getting badly beaten in later rounds.

Baylor HAMMERING St. Mary’s reinforced this idea.

Just in case people think this makes sense, a few reminders: Louisville 103 Arizona 64 (Sweet 16 2009), Villanova 77 Duke 54 (Sweet 16 2009), Kansas 94 Marquette 61 (Final Four 2003). Teams from “power” conferences can get whacked too.

Just desserts

When you roll the dice, you take what you get. How is John Calipari feeling about his recruiting efforts over the last year or so? Especially, when you consider the actions of DeMarcus Cousins in the latter part of  Saturday night’s game.  At least twice the camera caught Cousins snapping at his coach. Why would any NBA GM want Cousins in his locker room? What does that say for Calipari? Cousins can be thankful he is not a football player. Mike Singletary might have some fun with Cousins on his roster.

Ranking the tournament

This might be a fruitless exercise, but here goes anyway. I am trying to remember a more competitive all-around NCAA Men’s Division I basketball tournament. There have been so many games that have gone down to the last minute. Is this the best tournament ever?

With that in mind, why would the NCAA consider expanding the field to 96? Instead of making drastic changes, how about getting better coverage for the conference tournaments. That’s when the NCAA Tournament actually begins.

NIT anyone?

Two Atlantic 10 teams have made it to the little final four: Dayton and Rhode Island. Don’t laugh. Baylor played in last year’s NIT title game.

Coming this week

Capsules for the final four coming at you over the next few days.

1st Team All-Casey

PG Jon Scheyer – Duke

SG Jordan Crawford – Xavier

SF Gordon Hayward – Butler

PF Da’Sean Butler – West Virginia

C Epke Udoh – Baylor

2nd Team All-Casey

PG Denis Clemente – Kansas State

SG LaceDarius Dunn – Baylor

SF Wes Johnson – Syracuse

PF Chris Wright – Dayton

C JaJuan Johnson – Purdue

Got any college hoops splinters? Share them here.

AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

By Paul Gotham

Setting: Tennessee and Michigan State meet in St. Louis as Bruce Pearl’s No. 6 seed Volunteers (28-8) do battle with Tom Izzo’s Spartans (27-8) on the court at Edward Jones Dome.

Plot: SEC clashes with the Big Ten for a spot in the Final Four.

Sub-plot: The game pits a pair of coaches and teams who have dealt with adversity during the season. Earlier in the year, Pearl suspended three and dismissed one player from the Volunteers. The Spartans play without starting point guard and inspirational leader, Kalin Lucas.

Flashback: MSU and Tennessee last met in 1994 when the Spartans took 79-68 decision in East Lansing. The Spartans have 4-2 advantage in the all-time series.

Tennessee will make their first ever Elite Eight appearance in school history. MSU is making a nation’s best seventh Elite Eight trip in the last 12 years.

Foreshadowing: Thirty-seven Spartans have earned roster spots in the National Basketball Association, including current players Charlie Bell, Shannon Brown, Paul Davis, Morris Peterson, Zach Randolph, and Jason Richardson. Twenty-nine Volunteers have laced them up in the Association. Marcus Haislip and C.J. Watson currently wear jerseys in the NBA.

Conflict: Experience versus enthusiasm. Michigan State is supposed to be here. The Spartans returned seven players that played at least 12 minutes in last year’s national final. Tennessee showed glimpses of being spectacular this season. The Volunteers knocked two number ones from the pedestal: Kansas and Kentucky.

Rebounding will tell the tale of this match-up. The Spartans grab 8.9 more boards than their opponents. The Spartans understand the importance of shot selection and how it creates rebounding opportunities. Tennessee will need to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate shots.

Wayne Chism leads three Volunteers in double figures with 12 and a half points. The senior grabs seven rebounds and has shown he can step out and knock down a three pointer.

Scotty Hopson and Tyler Smith add 12 and 11 points respectively. Both Smith and Bobby Maza have assist to turnover ratios over 2:1. This is a reflection of Tennessee’s ability to create turnovers and convert at the opposite end of the floor. Brian Williams comes off the bench and pulls down six rebounds.

When Kalin Lucas went down with a season-ending injury, the Spartans needed someone to replace their leading scorer. Korie Lucious has been the man scoring double figures in the last two games including a game-winning three pointer against Maryland.

Raymar Morgan and Durrell Summers combine for 22 points and almost 12 rebounds.

Draymond Green scores almost 10 and grabs eight boards.

Resolution: Tennessee will make it a game, but the Spartans will decide it. The Volunteers have the athletes to keep it close, but Michigan State has too much experience.

Got any comments on the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

When it comes to winning a national championship, Bill Self knows there is very little margin for error. In an interview earlier this week, the Kansas coach talked about the difference between winning and losing in March. His conclusion is that it comes down to one possession.

That is as small a margin as it can be.

The Midwest Region makes the margin even smaller.

If nothing else, the region boasts the best coaching resume of all four regions. Eight teams have coaches with Final Four experience: Self, Tom Izzo, Lon Kruger, Gary Williams, Steve Fischer, John Thompson III, Paul Hewitt, and Thad Matta.

Compare that resume to the East with three – John Calipari, Rick Barnes, and Bob Huggins; the South with four – Mike Krzyzewski, Rick Pitino, Mike Montgomery, and Jay Wright, and the West with three – Jim Boeheim, Tubby Smith, and Billy Donovan.

Indeed, the margin for error is tiny.

Add to that the fact that both of the teams who beat Kansas during the regular season (Tennessee and Oklahoma State) are in the Midwest. Granted, the Volunteers and Cowboys are on the other side of the bracket.

All that being said, it is Kansas’s region to lose. Oh sure, the Jayhawks could stumble.

UNLV or Northern Iowa could throw a scare into the Jayhawks. UNLV gets pressure on the ball, and, at the same time, they value possession. The Rebels rank in the top 15 of the country in assists, assists to turnover, and turnover margin. That all looks good on paper until a team has to play at the speed Kansas will dictate.

Remember this, Kansas is fifth in the country scoring 82 a game. Their field goal percentage defense is third in the nation. At the same time, the Jayhawks’ three-point percentage is fifth. Kansas can beat a team in many ways.

Northern Iowa could put up a fight. This is the Panthers second consecutive trip to the Dance and third in the last five years. Jordan Eglseder could bang with Cole Aldrich and get the Jayhawk center in foul trouble. But can the rest of Northern Iowa compete?

The only way to beat Kansas is to forfeit the offensive glass to get back on defense. Playing a zone is probably necessary, but a team has to be prepared to defend the three-point arc.

An undermanned Tennessee team played zone and caught the Jayhawks on an off day. Oklahoma State played a soft man to man. They denied dribble penetration. Oh yeah, they also shot the lights out – 60 percent from the field and 52 percent from the three point arc. Kansas is not unbeatable, but a team must have their best performance of the year to win.

Which takes us to the third round. Kansas could have a date with either Maryland or Michigan State. Both of these teams have the ability to slow down Kansas. They also have players unafraid to step up in the clutch – Greivis Vasquez and Kalin Lucas to start with.

While the Jayhawks are busy fending off all comers on their side, the Ohio State Buckeyes might skate through the bottom of the region. Of their possible match-ups in the first four rounds, only Georgetown could handle the physical play of the Buckeyes. Problem is, Georgetown gets very little, if any, production from their bench.

Match ups to die for: Maryland versus Michigan State. Vasquez and Lucas. Izzo and Williams. Whoa nellie!

Ohio State against Georgetown – Greg Monroe and Evan Turner on the floor at the same time would be special. Don’t forget it was a Georgetown team that reduced North Carolina to an average team a couple of years ago. Thompson III gets his kids to commit to the cause. They don’t have much of a bench, but they can play defense. Well, at least if it comes down to the final seconds and Georgetown has a lead, the Hoyas probably won’t let Turner get a running start at a buzzer beater. Georgetown will probably do the smart thing and at least make him change hands with the dribble or something. Not that I am criticizing Michigan or anything.

Kansas and the winner of the Maryland / Michigan State game. Izzo and Williams both have plenty of tricks in the bag.

Kansas and Ohio State – suddenly the Jayhawks don’t look so invincible.

Players to watch:

Evan Turner (Ohio State) – what else can be said.

Kawhi Leonard (San Diego State) – The freshman had 20 rebounds in the MWC final. The Aztecs may onlyy be around for a game, so catch him while you can.

Derrick Favors (G Tech) 6’10″ freshman moves like he is 6’6″ and rebounds like a seven footer. An early pick for 2010 pre-season All Casey.

What to look for: Two Big Ten teams in one region spells trouble for the Jayhawks. If the first one doesn’t get them, the second one will. Izzo has been playing possum with his kids all year long. It’s March. This is Spartan time. MSU will get the upset, but Ohio State will advance.

By Paul Gotham

Setting: It’s a Big Ten showdown as Tom Izzo brings his No. 5 Michigan State Spartans (19-3, 9-0)  to Madison for a tilt with Bo Ryan’s No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers (16-5, 6-3).

Plot: Michigan State could gain a four-game edge on Wisconsin in the Big Ten standings. The Badgers are currently tied for second with Purdue, Ohio State, and Illinois.

Sub-plot: Michigan State is riding an eight-game winning streak including two of the last three on the road. Wisconsin has lost two of  four but won their previous two home games. Wisconsin will be without their second-leading scorer, Jon Leuer, who has an injured wrist.

Flashback: The Spartans beat the Badgers last month, 54-47. Chris Allen scored 16, and Draymond Green contributed 11 off the bench. Michigan State out-rebounded Wisconsin, 38-23. MSU leads the series, 68-58. Wisconsin has won 17 in a row at  the Kohl Center.

The Spartans have made 23 NCAA Tournament appearances including last year’s loss in the National Championship game. Izzo led the Spartans to the title in 2000. Under Izzo the Spartans have advanced to five Final Fours.

Wisconsin has earned 15 NCAA Tournament berths. Last year, the Badgers lost in the second round. Ryan has led Wisconsin to the Sweet Sixteen twice (’03 and ’08) and once to the Elite Eight (’05).

Foreshadowing: Thirty-seven Spartans have earned roster spots in the National Basketball Association, including current players Charlie Bell, Shannon Brown, Paul Davis, Morris Peterson, Zach Randolph, and Jason Richardson.

Twenty Badgers have stepped on the court in the Association. Michael Finley, Devin Harris, Marcus Landry, and Alando Tucker all have current spots on NBA rosters.

Conflict: Michigan State turns the ball over 14 times a game. Wisconsin gets almost six steals per contest. The Spartans have a rebound margin of 9.8 while Wisconsin is limited to a margin of 2.6.

Wisconsin is sixth in the nation limiting opponents to just 57.1 points. With patience, the Badgers can create Spartan mistakes. Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, and Chris Allen are athletic and experienced. Sometimes, the trio of guards hurry when trying to play fast. Wisconsin’s transition defense will need to make the initial stop of the Spartan rush. Then the Badgers will need to play defense inside the arc to limit Lucas and Allen off the dribble.

Trevon Hughes, Jason Bohannon, and and Jordan Taylor will be responsible for slowing down the Spartan back court. The three combine for nearly 36 points and nine assists per game.

Keaton Nankivil will try to make up for the loss of Leuer. Nankivil averages eight points and just under five rebounds.

Lucas, Summers, and Allen combine for 36 points a game. Raymar Morgan and Delvon Roe grab almost twelve rebounds. The front court duo hits over 56 percent of their shots from the field.

Resolution: Earlier this year, Wisconsin created 11 turnovers while committing just four in a defeat of Duke. They will need a similar performance tonight. The Badgers need to execute long possessions that will force Michigan State to work on the defensive end. Bo Ryan needs someone to step up in the absence of Leuer. Look for Rob Wilson or Ryan Evans to fill the void. This is the third of four on the road for the Spartans. They are ripe for an upset. Wisconsin hits 74 percent from the line while MSU finishes 68 percent of the time from the stripe. Wisconsin needs a victory, and the Badgers will win a single-digit affair tonight.

Got any thoughts on the game? Post them here.

By Paul Gotham

Tough week for the Jayhawks

Seven days ago Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks looked like an unstoppable force. One week later, the Jayhawks’ staff might want to spend some time reading the tea leaves.

Without a doubt, the Jayhawks will have some say in who wins this year’s national title. The degree to which they have that say will depend upon how Self’s crew reacts to their games against Cornell and Tennessee.

The Jayhawks can not ignore how their shot frequency and shot selection were dictated to them by the Big Red and the Vols.

Kansas beat Cornell 71-66 – a game where the Jayhawks trailed at home with 4:00 remaining. Cornell’s strategy was simple: limit the number of shots by Kansas. The Jayhawks took 49 shots against Cornell. In comparison, Kansas took 63 shots versus UCLA, 60 against Cal, and 61 vs. LaSalle. It sounds simple because it is. Limit your opponents shots and you will limit their chances to score.

Cornell played patiently on the offensive end. Kansas was unaccustomed to the change in speed and they struggled to get any rhythm in their offense.

Tennessee dictated WHERE Kansas would take their shots. The undermanned Vols put on a defensive transition clinic.  The Vols demonstrated an understanding of priority in defensive transition – ball, block, and first pass. That is, Tennessee got back in the paint and organized themselves quickly.  From there,  Tennessee played zone and made the Jayhawks shoot over them. The Kansas starting front court of Cole Aldrich and Marcus Morris attempted a combined 10 shots all night. That was shot attempts. Kansas took 61 shots. Tennessee dictated where they would take those shots.

The Jayhawks can expect to see these strategies in the future.

Ivy League thinking at large

Cornell’s performance at the Phog Allen Fieldhouse was no fluke. The Big Red has already beaten Alabama and St. John’s.

Cornell had another close call with Seton Hall. They have earned an RPI ranking of 34. For the last two years the Big Red have represented the Ivy League in the NCAA tournament. The Big Red packs plenty of experience.

Cornell is not the only Ivy team making noise. Harvard has an RPI of 49.

The Crimson have wins over Boston College and George Washington to go with a close loss to Georgetown.

Xavier playing truth or consequences

The Atlantic 10 has worked their way into the top five of conference RPI. With the likes of Temple, Dayton, Richmond, Charlotte, and Rhode Island either earning spots or votes in the Top 25, the A10 has vaulted ahead of the SEC and Pac 10.

What’s missing is the Xavier Musketeers who have made two Elite Eight appearances and one Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last decade. The next four games could go a long way in proving whether the X-Men will earn an NCAA bid this year. Xavier hosts Charlotte tonight and Dayton Saturday before visiting Temple next Wednesday and hosting Rhode Island a week from Saturday.

Keep Michigan State on the radar

The Spartans returned three starters from last year’s national final team which created high expectations. With three losses it is easy to overlook the Spartans.

But don’t forget Tom Izzo still roams the sidelines for the Spartans. So while everyone talks about the undefeated teams, John Wall, and the daily hype, Izzo coaches. The three losses can be deceiving. Izzo has used nine different starting lineups. One can only imagine how many finishing lineups he has used – and the lineup at the end of the game is the one that matters.

Part of that shuffling included taking Kalin Lucas out of the starting five. Many coaches give in to their stars. Not Izzo. Actually, Izzo does not coach stars. Examine that lineup closely; you won’t find any McDonald’s All-Americans.  Izzo teaches team play, and that takes time. The results speak for themselves: 12 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, 5 Final Fours, and one National Title.

First team All-Casey

PG Sherron Collins – Kansas

SG Jeremy Hazell – Seton Hall

SF Wesley Johnson – Syracuse

PF Al-Farouq Aminu – Wake Forest

C Dexter Pittman – Texas

2nd Team All Casey

PG – Jon Scheyer – Duke

SG  Matt Bouldin – Gonzaga

SF  Robbie Hummel – Purdue

PF  Patrick Patterson – Kentucky

C Jason Love – Xavier

Got any college basketball splinters? Share them here.

Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.

’08 – ’09 Results: 31 -7 (15 -3 Big Ten) Lost to UNC in the National Title game, 89 -72.

Coach: Tom Izzo 336 – 137 (14 years at MSU)

Key Returners:

Kalin Lucas – 14.7ppg, 2.1rpg

Chris Allen – 8.4ppg, 2.2rpg

Durrell Summers – 8.6ppg, 3.4rpg

Raymar Morgan – 10.2ppg, 5.3rpg

Delvon Roe – 5.6ppg, 5.2rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/17 vs. Gonzaga, 11/27 vs. Florida, 12/1 at North Carolina, 12/22 at Texas

Stat of Identity: 9.3 rebound margin #1 in the nation

By Paul Gotham

Not much has changed in Lansing, and not much needs to change for the Spartans to be successful.

Few lineup changes will take place, and there is no need for the style of play to change for the Michigan State Spartans.

Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Raymar Morgan, Delvon Roe, and more were all on hand as the Spartans went down in flames against the North Carolina Tar Heels. They are none much worse for the wear.

Rebound, play defense, and take care of the ball are all staples of the Spartan diet. Last year was as good of an example as there is of this. A Michigan State lineup that lacked star-studded glitter led the nation in rebound margin and had two players with a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Four starters return from that team; opponents beware.

Lucas is a junior who played with senior savvy a season ago. This year should be only better. He will be joined in the back court by Allen and Summers.  Both hit over 30% from the behind the three-point arc.

Morgan and Roe will benefit from more repetitions of the famous Spartan rebounding exercise called the ‘war drill.’ The two forwards combined for over 10 per boards per game last year.

Jonathon Daniel / Getty Images

As we approach the 2009 National Championship game for NCAA men’s basketball, I feel as if we’re watching two totally different programs face off.

I can’t help but think of the lopsided 35 point game earlier in this season between North Carolina and Michigan State. Surely this topsy-turvy year in college basketball won’t leave us with an anticlimactic championship game?

To believe such a game will ensue is to once again to doubt the preparedness and teaching of Tom Izzo. This isn’t the same Spartan team from early December. And this isn’t just any other program.

Izzo has led his Spartan clubs to five Final Fours in the past ten years, cutting down the nets in 2000. Two of those years since 1999 his squad narrowly missed (Elite Eight in 2003, Sweet Sixteen in 2008).

Yet, I think many of us don’t rank Michigan State nor Tom Izzo in as nearly high regard as they deserve.

Many coaches look to get the best recruits. The best recruits are often All-Americans. What being an All-American does not measure is a young man’s heart, character and will to win. Not saying that All-Americans are entitled individuals and void of passion for the game, but deeming them “the best of the best” doesn’t always translate into team success.

Consider this: Izzo has been finding success since 2005 without a single high school All-American. His counterpart in Monday night’s championship, Roy Williams, consistently heads the list of signing the most highly touted All-American high school players in the country.

In 2005, Williams brought in All-Americans Danny Green, Bobby Frasor and Tyler Hansbrough. Danny Green has certainly panned out as one of the more important players for UNC. Hansbrough, as we all know, has lived up to all expectations; his personal accolades speak volumes.

Michigan State did not sign any high school players who played in the McDonald’s All-American game that year; however, 2005 brought another Final Four trip.

Roy Williams then landed one-and-done Brandan Wright, Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson in 2006. Michigan State? No high school All-American signees.

2007 brought a little change for Williams and Carolina. Both the Heels and Spartans did not sign any All-Americans. This is probably because much of Williams’ scholarship money was on hold as, to his current pleasure, Ellington, Green, Lawson and Hansbrough all returned.

The next year in 2008 saw a return to normality as recruiting goes. Roy Williams signed three All-Americans: Ed Davis, Tyler Zeller and Larry Drew. Michigan State? Well, you get the point by now surely.

As I perused this year’s All-American game, UNC is putting scholarship money to good use and signed four of its future players participating in the 2009 McDonald’s High School All-American game. Williams hit the jackpot by getting a two for one deal: a pair of 6’10″ twins from California.

Tom Izzo apparently isn’t that savvy a salesman as he made it five years in a row without a McDonald’s All-American.

If you look for yourself at the high school All-Americans now playing college basketball, you’ll notice a trend of teams consistently showing up other than Carolina.

I noticed Louisville with at least one or two each year. Their current status? Sent home convincingly by Izzo and company.

Kansas and Bill Self work hard to sign some of the best each year, having five over a two year span between 2005 and 2006. The Jayhawk’s current status? Resting comfortably in Lawrence courtesy of Izzo and MSU. Wait a minute: Self is probably frequenting some obscure AAU tournament to find the next big thing.

We’ve all heard the allegations surrounding Jim Calhoun and the Uconn Huskies. His school’s name never fails to show up on the All-American list. His vacation was started early thanks to – you already know it – Michigan State and Tom Izzo.

So what makes a great coach? Kentucky lured John Calipari away from Memphis for a record salary because he can “recruit the best.” Very true. He’s brought in the two most coveted point guards the past two years in Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans (and most have him snatching up John Wall this year).

He had a heck of a class coming in once again for next year, most of which analysts say will follow him to Kentucky. But how’s his coaching?

As others tirelessly recruit and flash alluring eyes towards the nation’s best high school players, Tom Izzo continues to do the one thing he was hired to do year after year: coach.

by Paul Casey Gotham

Our scene opens in a non-descript diner somewhere in Midwest United States.  It’s the breakfast hour, and like so many roadside establishments there is an apparent purpose to the movements of all in the restaurant.  Hosts, waitresses, and cooks all temper their movements so that customers may continue on their way.

Despite the din of silverware clinking on plates, coffee cups clanging saucers, cash register chimes, and the order bell, three customers remain detached from the distractions.  Coaches, Tom Izzo of Michigan State, Dino Gaudio from Wake Forest, and John Beilein the head man at Michigan, lounge together at a corner booth.

Gaudio is busily attending to his Black Berry – there are emails to respond to.  Beilein with his back to the wall is immersed in his notes.  Izzo has buried himself behind a copy of the Lansing State Journal occasionally grimacing as he reads what must be a less-than-flattering commentary on his Spartans.

The greasy spoon diner has become a crossroads for three coaches heading out on recruiting trips.  Later today they will return to their respective campuses and work with their teams, but for now the three coaches look forward to planting seeds for the future.

Recruiting is not the only thing the three have in common today – heart-breaking losses came to each of their programs in the last couple of nights, and a palpable tension hangs over the table.  The usually gregarious trio have refrained for now from their playful banter and barbs.

It is that way as Dolores, the waiter, ambles to the corner booth.

Dolores:  “Morning sweet hearts!  Will it be the usual? ”

Gaudio removes his eyes from the electronic device and beams a smile as he makes eye contact.

Gaudio:  (as he grabs a menu) “Ah gee, lemme think.”

Beilein:  Still not looking up from his notes and under his breath : “He might want to consider the #2 or even the 3 or 4.”

Not understanding the jab Dolores looks up from her pad and glances in Beilein’s direction.

Beilein: (continuing)  ” ‘Cause after last night he won’t be tasting number one for a while.”

Gaudio, still reeling from his team’s first defeat of the season, flashes a smile that is simultaneosly pleasant and forced.  Dolores uncomfortably attempts to remain neutral.

Izzo: (Deciding to enter the fray) “That’s all right Dino.  Dolores when you get around to JB’s order there won’t be much short hand.  Kinda like his team has dropped from the rankings, there is no number for his meal this morning.”

Beilein: (Sharing a laugh)  “Dolores, you might want to bring a whole pot of coffee over; Coach Izzo here is gonna drink 18 cups – one for each turnover his team committed last night.”

For the first time the group chuckles in unison.

Beilein: (continuing) “18 turnovers to the Mildcats?  How didja manage that?  I mean I respect Carm’s (Northwestern head coach, Bill Carmody) motion offense and all, but I didn’t know his students were playing tenaciuos D or anything.”

Izzo: (chuckling)  “Yeah -  Happy Valley wasn’t so the other night huh?  15 points?  How much longer didja think that 1-3-1 would work?  C’mon you had to know we’d catch onto it.  And that finesse offense?  That stuff can work in Morgantown, but how do you like our rough and tumble brigade?”

All three continue smiling as Dolores leaves with their orders.

Izzo:  (motioning to Gaudio) “Duke up next huh?”

Gaudio: “Yes sir.”

Izzo:  “At least you got ‘em at home.  At Cameron?  You got about as much chance of getting a call in that barn as I do of getting a date in a convent.”

Belly laughs emerge.

Beilein: (chiming in) “Hey!  Didja see NJIT finally got a win?”

Gaudio:  “Yeah, like they belong in D1.”

Our camera pans away as Dolores delivers the meals.  Beilein gets the tall stack of pancakes.  Izzo likes eggs over easy.  Gaudio takes his scrambled with his bacon burned.

Throughout the meal conversation continues.  The three do more gesturing with hands than they do actual talking.  As Dolores returns with the checks, Izzo motions with his hand, and the waitress hesitates.

Izzo: “Ya know Dino, considering your team’s performance last night, I think you should take the checks and pay.  I mean the Hokies tried giving that game to you with all those missed free throws, and your kids just wouldn’t take the game.  It might be good practice for you and all.  Learning how to take something and all.

Whether out necessity or survival the Wake Forest coach grabs the stubs and reaches for his wallet.

The camera pans away.

There is recruiting to be done.