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In recent years, we’ve seen a major surge in tweets from media members and pundits that end with: “both things can be true.” Tweets such as these are required, given the binary mode of thinking that is so prevalent in America these days. Despite rapid advances in information technology and ways to disseminate that information, more people are regressing intellectually.
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Before Michigan and Michigan State played for the Big Ten Tournament title, in what was their third meeting this this season, both head coaches discussed the growing significance of their heated rivalry. Both Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and Michigan head man John Beilein opined on the idea of MSU-Michigan being/one day becoming on par with North Carolina-Duke.
Playing for the third time in a span of just three weeks, the Michigan-Michigan State blood feud is becoming more relevant and entertaining by the year.
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You know how it is with Michigan State basketball- the season really doesn’t begin until March. Reaching the NCAA Tournament is basically automatic for this program, so success or failure is judged by what they do in the The Big Dance.
That said, today’s 73-63 loss at Purdue was certainly disheartening for several reasons. This team really needs wing Joshua Langford, and the dimensions that he gives them, back very badly. Langford missed eighth straight game today due to an ankle injury, the specifics of which the school has kept quiet. Michigan State basketball certainly has a #2 seed profile right now, and with a little work, could be on that top line come Selection Sunday.
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Mateen Cleaves is not only one of the most legendary names in Michigan State history, he’s also one of the most iconic players in college basketball lore. This Spartan warrior is known for winning a national title while on crutches, being a stellar point guard and the ugly Bill Cosby style sweaters he wore on the bench when injured.
Mateen Cleaves played in the NBA for 6 years, including a couple years with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. He later played in the NBDL, Russia and Greece. Now the Big Ten icon of icon is joining CBS Sports as a studio analyst.
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For Michigan State basketball the NCAA Tournament journey begins in the friendly confines of the Detroit suburbs. The Michigan State drew Auburn Hills, Michigan for their regional, home of the Detroit Pistons. Obviously this is fantastic for Sparty. All the Michigan State basketball fans will already be right there. MSU has the most recent national title of any Big Ten team. And their bracket draw this year has some similarities with that magical 2000 run. This year, as well as that title year of 2000: Michigan St. played Valparaiso in their first tournament game. The road to the title included 2/3 same locations: Detroit and Indianapolis, both drivable locations for their rabid, often-intoxicated Michigan State fan base.
Tom Izzo certainly is “Mr. March” as Michigan State is 71-29 in March since 1998-99. Given the strength of the Big Ten this year, these Spartans will be more battle tested than usual. For officially the fourth time in Big Ten history, and third in the last five seasons, the Big Ten will send seven programs to the NCAA Tournament. It marks the sixth time in the last eight years that the Big Ten has had six or more teams in the bracket. Michigan State basketball always schedules extremely tough in the non-conference, making them ready for what really counts in March. They take their lumps in November and learn from them so that they can survive and advance into April
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Notre Dame recruited Garrick Sherman coming out of high school. But the 6-10, 240 pound center choose Michigan State instead. But the Irish have him in 2012-13, and he had a huge night in ND’s 5 OT victory over Louisville, a game everyone will remember. The Shermanator is the first player to transfer to Notre Dame since June ’08 when Mike Brey welcomed 2011 Big East Player of the Year Ben Hansbrough from Mississippi State and current Irish senior forward Scott Martin from Purdue.
Sherman didn’t even play until overtime tonight, but he made the most of his minutes, getting 17 points on 7-9 shooting and 6 rebounds.
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1. Melvin Ingram, South Carolina (6-2, 264): One of the most versatile defensive lineman in the draft, Ingram could play in both the 3-4 as an OLB or speed DE, as well as play the traditional 4-3 defensive end. Ingram has pro-ready hand technique and frequently gets his man off balance. Prediction: Top-15
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Michigan State has reached the sweet sixteen in 10 of the last 15 years. Tom Izzo is Mr. March as every player he’s recruited that has stayed in East Lansing all four years has reached at least one Final Four. Remember that whenever you fill out your brackets in future years.
The Big Ten is 9-2 in the tourney so far and comprises one fourth of the sweet sixteen. Purdue was inches away from possibly making it five teams, and 10-1. So remember that next New Year’s Day when the Big Ten gets destroyed by the SEC in bowl games. It’s the best college basketball conference this year, not the best college football conference. (That’s the SEC almost every year)
Challenging the B1G is the Big East and that brings us the Louisville Cardinals.
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During their 2000 national title run, Michigan State trailed in their second round game to Utah during the second half. At halftime, MSU led Saint Louis University just 26-21, as SLU shot 5 of 21 from the field, 2 of 11 from three, yet were only down five. SLU even cut the deficit to two inside three minutes to go in the second half.
Michigan State made the runs required to achieve victory though, holding off the Billikens (what the hell is a Billiken?) 65-61. They reached the sweet sixteen in a very sour looking game. It was ugly, grindy and muckish. Just the way, Rick Majerus wanted it.
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Michigan State Athletic Director Mark Hollis who is credited with developing some of college basketball’s most innovative events, has been named to the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. He will begin serving his term September 1, 2012.
Hollis earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 1985, serving as student manager for the Spartan men’s basketball team under legendary coach Jud Heathcote. The predecessor to Tom Izzo. He earned a Master’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1992 and then joined the staff at the Western Athletic Conference, working his way up from administrative assistant to assistant to the commissioner and then assistant commissioner.
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What a HUGE GET for Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans! Gary Harris from Hamilton Southeastern high school is one of the top ten players in the nation. He hasn’t signed a letter of intent yet, but multiple sources report his verbal commit to Mich St. on national signing day.
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Michigan State basketball will wear specially-designed camouflaged home white uniforms for its game against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Carrier Classic on Nov. 11 (11-11-11) in San Diego.
“I think the uniforms are pretty cool,” said MSU head coach Tom Izzo. “They definitely put the spotlight on our military and that’s what this is for. I like that instead of player names, they put ‘U.S.A.’ on the back. For once, everybody can be on the same team.
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