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Blue-collar beasts Michigan State earns No. 1 seed old-fashioned way
Posted: Monday March 08, 1999 03:25 PM
EAST LANSING, Mich. (CNN/SI) -- For nearly a century, hard work and teamwork have personified Michigan's signature industry. This year it's been the motto of Michigan State's basketball team. The Spartans are a team that frustrates with defense. They are a team whose leading scorer doesn't even start. They are a team that has earned the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region. They also are a team that has a good shot of bringing the national championship back to East Lansing for the first time since a kid nicknamed Magic did it all 20 years ago. "[I like] the workmanlike, blue-collar attitude of our players," Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said. "You know, it's not like anyone is above anyone else. I don't think they treat the other teammates like it. They definitely don't treat the fans like it." It's been all about attitude for the Spartans, who will meet 16th-seeded Mt. St. Mary's in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It hasn't, however, been about ego. Sixth-man guard Morris Peterson leads Michigan State in scoring and only three Spartans average in double figures. Seven different players have led the team in scoring in a game this season. "One thing that the bench guys wanted to do was come in and be equal as far as scoring," said Peterson, who averages a little over 14 points per game. "So when we step into our roles, things won't change." A lifelong friendship with San Francisco 49ers coach Steve Mariucci has helped Izzo establish a full-throttle intensity level and sense of camaraderie normally reserved for football teams. Thanks to Izzo, the month of March will be the Spartans' bowl game. "We didn't know how to come every day and give forth that effort," senior forward Antonio Smith said. "Coach comes here every day and pushes us to the limit. And with that football background, he'll get in your face and push you." Pushing people around is something the Spartans have done quite well this season, especially on the glass. Michigan State has allowed opponents only 26.4 rebounds a game and its rebounding margin of 9.6 more boards a game than its opponent ranks second in the nation. It has been that intensity that has allowed the Spartans to kick-start their offense, mainly through the play of All-America point guard Mateen Cleaves. "We want to come out, play defense, get the ball in transition, get it up, run the break, hopefully we get some dunks off that," said Cleaves, who is eighth in the NCAA in assists at 6.8 a game. "We just want to play with a lot of energy and give people their money's worth." But that wasn't the case early in the season. Forgotten amid the jubilation of raising another Big Ten championship banner were the questions and concerns surrounding the Spartans' 4-3 start. But those losses to highly ranked Temple, Duke and Connecticut -- while baffling in December -- might just be beneficial in March. "It helped us realize for one thing how fast you can be up here and it doesn't take you long to be back down below," Izzo said. "And that's what we learned early." Those lessons helped Michigan State roll through the Big Ten schedule and earn its second straight regular-season championship. Since losing their conference opener to Wisconsin on Jan. 6, the Spartans closed the regular season with 15 consecutive wins. Michigan State also became the first team to win both the Big Ten's regular-season and tournament crowns (the Big Ten Tournament is only in its second year). Now the Spartans begin their quest for the biggest crown of all. And for that, they can thank their December to remember. "Sometimes teams fall apart from stuff like that," Cleaves said. "I think that kind of made us stronger and made us form together a little more."
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