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Day at a Glance
Michigan State wins classic battle
Posted: Saturday March 25, 2000 10:08 PM
By Albert Lin, CNNSI.com
Send everyone else home. The national champion was decided Saturday night, when Michigan State held off Iowa State in a game that lived up to all the hype.
Looking at the Cyclones' lineup, it's remarkable what kind of season they had. Despite a serious shortage in size, Iowa State rode the back of All-American Marcus Fizer and its ultra-athletic guards to run off 32 wins. After watching Fizer, we're not sure he isn't the best player in the country. He's not the defensive intimidator that Kenyon Martin is, but his offensive skills have no equal -- he's nearly automatic one-on-one in the post with his strength, footwork and touch; he can put the ball on the floor and create for himself and others; and he has three-point range.
Saturday, the Cyclones did what they have done all year, giving the ball to Fizer and then bombing away from the perimeter. They even outrebounded Michigan State, just the second time all season that's happened. Iowa State appeared ready to pull away when it went up 48-40 with 11:46 to go, but the Spartans toughened up defensively, denying Fizer the ball in the post. With the Cyclones ahead 61-55, Michigan State went on a 12-0 run to take control of the game.
We've seen flashes of the Spartans' weaknesses in their last two games, but the reason they will cut down the nets in Indianapolis is their experience. They've been through every obstacle this season, from playing without Mateen Cleaves to suffering seven losses (one to Wright State, let's not forget) to winning the rugged Big Ten regular season and conference tournament to overcoming deficits against Syracuse and Iowa State. And they know exactly what they have to do to get out of any situation. Michigan State has gone a step further in each of Cleaves' four seasons, and the only way to top it off is with a title.
REVIEW
BEST GAME
No. 1 Michigan State 75, No. 2 Iowa State 64
This game featured everything -- hustle, defense, bodies banging, outside shooting, clutch shots, stars making plays. The alley-oop out of a timeout from Cleaves to Morris Peterson with 2:05 left was a huge momentum-grabber by the two seniors. That play is the essence of what makes the Spartans unbeatable.
HERO
Jon Bryant, sr., G, Wisconsin
He was our Biggest Surprise when he poured in 21 in Wisconsin's opening-round win over Fresno State, but by following with 12, 16 and then 18 Saturday, everyone should have figured out that Bryant needs to be shadowed. He's had his three highest-scoring outputs of the season in the tournament and has knocked down big threes time and again (18 over the four games).
GOAT
Jaraan Cornell, sr., G, Purdue
Long considered one of the deadliest outside shooters in the country -- though, we confess, we've never quite understood why -- Cornell seemed to be breaking out of his season-long slump in the tournament. But yesterday, in the biggest game of his career, he hit just 1 of 9 shots (1-for-7 from three) in 32 minutes -- and missed his two free throws to boot.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
That No. 8 Wisconsin is going to the Final Four
We're not surprised that the Badgers beat Purdue, but we -- and the rest of America -- certainly are shocked that they're on their way to Indianapolis. This team literally does just lull you to sleep, forcing you to swing the ball around and trying your patience until you start to jack up hurried shots. But they're so unremarkable physically and athletically that it's a tribute to Dick Bennett's system and his players that Wisconsin is in its first Final Four since 1941.
PREVIEW
BEST MATCHUP
No. 3 Oklahoma State vs. No. 5 Florida, 5 p.m. ET
The ultimate halfcourt vs. fullcourt battle, both offensively and defensively. Florida seemed to figure it out against Duke, and as long as the Gators continue to trap with intensity and show patience with the ball, their multitude of offensive weapons should win out. Cowboys coach Eddie Sutton -- who's seen just about everything -- has the edge on the sideline, though.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Ed Cota, sr., G, North Carolina, vs. Tulsa, 2:40 p.m.
This almost-24-year-old senior will be under the gun bringing the ball up against Tulsa's frantic defense. Because Carolina's other ballhandlers are suspect, the responsibility falls almost entirely into Cota's hands. If he keeps his turnovers down and the offense under control, the Tar Heels have a chance.
Check back for a new Day at a Glance every day there's NCAA tournament action.
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