MSU NCAA Final Four News and Notes 03/30/10 Edition

The Spartans are tied for seventh all time with eight Final Fours  The Spartans are also fourth all time in NCAA tournament winning percentage.  Tom

The Spartans are tied for seventh all time with eight Final Fours

 

The Spartans are also fourth all time in NCAA tournament winning percentage.

 

Tom Izzo is second among active coaches with NCAA tournament percentage. Second only to Mike Krzyzewski.

 

Butler isn’t a Cinderella and Izzo was emphatic about that today. “They were A top ten team from the beginning. They started and ended there and have two definite pro players.”

 

He thinks that Butler guard Shelvin Mack is a, “Chauncey Billups,” type player.

 

In fact Izzo said, “They deserved all that they have got.” One advantage to the Spartans run last year is that they know what Butler will be facing as this years home team.

 

Kalin had surgery this morning. Izzo will go see him later today. He is doing well.

 

Chris Allen is, “Moderately,” improving. Roe is very limited and will spend most of his practice time walking through.

 

On the emergence of Durrell Summers: “People have to realize e grew up and you grow up when you go through tough times. He is doing the things he has to do.”

 

On his teams run to the Final Four, “I thought we had a chance and it dwindled a little bit. So it is a little surprising.

 

Magic Johnson had a long talk in Saint Louis with Kalin Lucas about rehab and how intense it is. Mateen also talked with him yesterday about it and Mateen told Izzo, “He’s really a different guy,” referring to Kalin’s mental state.

 

Kalin promised Izzo that he would, “Rehab morning, noon and night.”

 

On the rumors of his leaving, “I am going to put everything I can into getting this school another crystal ball.”

 

On Butler, “They have a very good guard inside-outside game and play great defense.”

 

Indianapolis on Saturday night will be the tenth anniversary of the 2000 title that he won there. Last year in Detroit was the 30th anniversary of Magic’s championship.

 

Are the Spartans headed to Chuck E Cheese? Izzo isn’t superstitious, but did admit that he wants to get the team to a restaurant were they can, “Eat and play some games.”

 

On Draymond he loves that, “He wants to be the spokesman for this team. He cares and at times he may be too honest.”

 

On Raymar’s emergence at the end of the year, “I still think he has a lot more to give even now! “

 

As far as Raymar’s struggle early on this season, “It was a big error on my part. You can’t make someone what he isn’t. He has elevated his game where he can play somewhere else (Pro) now. It all depends on him growing out of hurting himself.”

 

On his team rallying around Kalin, “The players have a different feel for him now. Liking someone is nice, but caring for someone is special.”

 

On the remaining teams in the Final Four field, “Four teams that coach and teach the same things. Defense and toughness,” and he also said, “When you look at the Final Four teams there are a lot of great players, but nobody is riding on one guy.”

 

On Durrell, “It is amazing what happens when a guys sprints off of a screen and not jogs… He is playing with purpose and energy.”

 

Some guys when Izzo goes after them play, “To spite me. That isn’t the way he is," was Izzo’s thoughts on how Durrell has responded.

 

Now here are my thoughts on Kalin. He isn’t going pro so relax folks. He will be back.

 

I will have my game scouting report and prediction up Saturday morning. I will say that if the Spartans can get past Butler I think they match up better with WVU than Duke.

 

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