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Hog wild Izzo's Harley entrance marks Michigan State's return
Posted: Saturday October 16, 1999 12:46 PM
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo roared into the Breslin center on a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle to the cheers of thousands of Spartan basketball fans. And so Michigan State's Midnight Madness began. Fans, who waited in line to get into Friday night's event, say they think the Spartans have what it takes for a championship this year. "I think with the chemistry and savvy those guys have after getting there [to the Final Four] ... they know what it takes to get there and they have a better idea of what it's going to take to come home with the championship," said Michigan State professor Dwight Hanspike. Friday night marked the first official practice for the Michigan State men's and women's basketball teams. Many say all eyes will be on the Spartan men this year, who finished 33-5 last season and advanced to the NCAA Final Four. "I've been waiting for this season since the final buzzer in St. Petersburg," said Michigan State sophomore Adam Raak. The Spartans lost to Duke in the championship semifinals March 27. Raak believes last year's NCAA run prepared the Spartans for the ups and downs of a much tougher campaign. "I think with the schedule we have -- even though we may have a couple losses early -- no doubt we'll be the best team going into the tournament, and that'll give us the edge we need," he said.
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