NCAA Tournament 2000 - Michigan State back for another crack at title

Michigan State back for another crack at title
Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. -- A year ago, they were underdogs, a tough team that fought its way into the Final Four. This year, the Michigan State Spartans are the favorites.

But coach Tom Izzo isn't expecting an easy time in Indianapolis, where the Spartans will face unpredictable Big Ten rival Wisconsin in the semifinals.

"We beat them one time at Wisconsin because they shot terrible. We had a dogfight here that we barely won and the same in the Big Ten tournament," Izzo said. "So I could see this game going down to the wire with either team winning."

Last year in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Spartans lost to Duke in the semifinals.

Izzo said his team is prepared for a physical game that will require more from the Spartans (30-7) in rebounding than they've shown in recent games. The Badgers (22-13) were the only team to outrebound the Spartans all season until Iowa State did it on Saturday in the Midwest Regional final.

"Their style is different offensively. That's difficult. But what makes it worse is their style is different defensively. And it's physical, and you better take care of the ball," Izzo said. "You better get ready for a battle."

He expects the Spartans to call on more of the character that helped them rally to beat Syracuse and Iowa State last week. For that, Izzo is relying on All-American Mateen Cleaves.

"We're playing (Andre) Hutson and (A.J.) Granger a ton of minutes and I think maybe we're wearing down a little bit. And yet we have enough character and heart that, come down to the end, we've got a guy named Cleaves who will just not let them lose," Izzo said.

The Spartans coach said he respects how Wisconsin coach Dick Bennett has gotten the best out of his team, and dismissed any claims that the Badgers play boring basketball.

"They take your strengths away," Izzo said. "Those players are better than people give them credit for."

While the expectations for the Spartans are higher this year than last, Izzo said the pressure isn't that much worse. His team has last year's experience to draw on, and he plans to give them time to participate in the hoopla in Indianapolis before the matchup with Wisconsin.

"I'm going to try to let my players enjoy it, because those are some of the memories that last a lifetime," he said. "We're going to try to get them down there and let them have a little time. Maybe it will take some of the edge off."

Senior Morris Peterson, the team leader in scoring, will probably miss a day of practice this week to attend his grandmother's funeral. Guard Charlie Bell is taking two days off to rest his injured knee.

But come Saturday, the Spartans will be ready to play. Izzo said he's excited to be back in the Final Four, and will be disappointed if the Spartans don't win the national championship. But a loss won't ruin what he considers a remarkable season.

"Nobody could make me thing think this was a failed season, for what these guys have accomplished, for what they've had to do, overcome," Izzo said.

"If there was a prototype team ... that has tried to take the community, themselves, this university and everybody and really kind of hold it all together, this team has done it as good as any team that I've been around. And for that I think I'll be forever grateful."

Florida will play North Carolina in the other semifinal.


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