Tom Izzo in court; MSU FB fave at N'western

All is right, or strange with the world.  This is for those not on Twitter...

scUM loses again, hammered at Penn State and is knocked out of the AP Top 25 under the tutelage of Jesus Harbaugh.  Now Freep is picking up on the Mike Valenti Show, in which for two years he has ripped that Harbaugh is no deity.  Freep is a little late to the show.

But, now this:  coach Izzo on the Judge Mathis show.  OK, strange it is.  Welcome to the working week!  Pssst... #16 Big Green TD Machine an early 1-1/2 2 point fave at N'western this week.

No keys to the Pope here... Must've been a summer's day off for Tom.

President Obama talks brackets and football excellence at Michigan State

Well, the ES has just basked in the glory of the Rose Bowl for the past month.  It's been tough to get back into Spartan hoops after witnessing victory in the Promised Land.

That said, the ES will start chiming in on Spartan hoops here in the coming days and weeks.  But, that brings to mind today.  I was presented a wonderful opportunity to go see POTUS sign the Farm Bill at Michigan State University today... and of course, he started out acknowledging how fantastic the Spartan athletic teams have played so far this academic year.  Obama singled out his need to "do some scouting..." for his hoops bracket; and, our hoops excellence combined with winning the Rose Bowl made us "greedy."  :)  Wow, watch below, very cool.  GO GREEN!

Region of Doom: Pick Izzo and #3 MSU in the Midwest

It's March Madness... and the ES has been AWOL for travel across the country the last few days. Sorry for the delayed response, Spartan fans. 

But, it was nice to see MSU get a #3 seed in the Midwest, in the "Region of Doom."  When you think about how close MSU was in its two losses to Indiana, its loss at Michigan, and its loss to Ohio State in the tourney... well, the Spartans really had NO bad losses and are good enough to make a deep run. We'll see if Gary Harris' potential shoulder issue hampers Michigan State, but the bracket is a good one... let's take care of business in the first stanza, and potentially oust Duke and Louisville to advance to the Final Four.  That would be a nice capstone to a great season in an outstanding conference.

Nice to see the Spartans end the regular season polls in the top 10, at #9 - they certainly earned it.  And, the ES is enjoying the amount of publicity Tom Izzo and the Spartans are receiving, with Izzo being the dean of B1G coaches and having a great team.  Particularly loving this quote: "I'm looking forward to playing anybody [else]," Izzo said. "I'd play the Lakers tomorrow instead of some of the teams I've played recently."

Previews: a Mid-Major preview of MSU vs Valpo here; the Chicago Tribune preview picks MSU as a 72-58 winner.  A quick preview from Bracketologyexpert.com is here.

Here is the ESPN preview of the Midwest region.  And, Jay Bilas picks MSU to beat Duke, and for Michigan to bow out early.  The ES hates Pitino, and everything about him.  He is a poor ambassador for college basketball.  Thank goodness Kentucky didn't make it - Calipari is just as bad, if not worse.  In this tourney, the ES will be rooting for MSU and rooting against Michigan and Louisville.

Can't wait for tipoff -- for once, MSU gets the early game, this Thursday at 12:15 pm against little ole Valparaiso University... with the game right here in the state of Michigan.  The Palace will be crazy this weekend with Spartan Green and White.

ES has MSU picked in his bracket to the Final Four, and put down $20 in Vegas for the Spartans to win the whole damn thing.  NEVER PICK AGAINST IZZO IN THE TOURNAMENT.  Never.  And, is the Big Ten for real?  We should find out.  It was certainly interesting watching college hoops all year, and certainly Michigan  State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Indiana pass the eyeball test - they've looked GREAT all year long, even as they beat each other up. 

Here's the bracket. 

B1G Ten Tourney.... Gholston HOF Cafe Watch Party... Vegas Title Odds

ES is all jacked up for the B1G Ten Tourney championship.  At around 3:30 today, ES was in a meeting with several colleagues today who figured last Sunday a few of us Spartans were pulling for the Wolverines to beat Indiana to get MSU a share of the regular season title. NOT!!!!  We SOUNDLY denounced his sacrilege and referred to the new Pope maybe needing to forgive our sins in tone and language.  At 3:30, we may have been the first to ask this Pope Francis for forgiveness... but NAHHH.

What is hilarious is the scUMbags get to play an extra game. Thanks, Francis, God is good.  ES could care less about the performance of those wearing stupid yellow-glow-in-the-dark blinding uniforms.  Bumble-bee uniforms in football, and blinding yellow high-lighters in basketball.  They may be great engineers and doctors, but they are color-blind artists in Ann Arbor.  We'll still kick their butt and their extra game.

JOIN GHOLSTON AT HOF, FRIDAY, 7:45
As for the tourney, well it shall be fun - the ES will be at the Spartan HOF Cafe with his fam and work colleagues at the Spartan HOF for a Mid-Michigan Spartan Alum watch party.  Wanna come out for some brews, food, auction items, and fun while we kick Iowa or Northwestern's bootie?  Game time, tipoff is ETA 7:45 pm on Friday, on BTN.

We'll be hangin' with William Gholston if you're interested...  Need to contact SRothw@aol.com if interested...  GO GREEN!

RPI RATINGS
OK, we'll be throwing some smack at Bracketology all week long if Lunardi doesn't give the Spartans props with at LEAST a #2 seed (and maybe a #1 if they win the B1G tourney?)  But real-time RPI ratings, which are significant in determining NCAA tourney qualifications, so far place the Spartans at #9. should be a great week in March, as is always!!!!  It is IZZO TIME.
FAVORITES?
Check out VegasInsider.http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-basketball/odds/futures/  Spartans are 12-1 to take the title, Michigan is 10-1, and Indiana is 9-2... ES likes our chances, and the $20 he put in the Spartans in Vegas in November.  Here are the full lines below:

Indiana	9/2
Duke	5/1
Louisville	6/1
Florida	7/1
Michigan	10/1
Miami, FL	10/1
Gonzaga	10/1
Georgetown	12/1
Michigan State	12/1
Kansas	15/1
Ohio State	20/1
Syracuse	25/1
St. Louis	30/1
New Mexico	30/1
Arizona	40/1
Pittsburgh	40/1
UCLA	50/1
Kansas State	50/1
Oklahoma State	50/1
North Carolina	60/1
Wisconsin	60/1
N.C. State	60/1
Marquette	75/1
VCU	75/1
Minnesota	75/1
Field (any other team)	100/1
Missouri	100/1
Butler	100/1
Kentucky	100/1
Memphis	100/1
UNLV	100/1
Notre Dame	100/1
Colorado State	100/1
Creighton	100/1
Wichita State	200/1
Illinois	200/1
Oregon	200/1
California	200/1
St. Mary's	200/1
San Diego State	200/1
Colorado	200/1
Belmont	200/1
Alabama	300/1
Oklahoma	300/1
Temple	300/1
Villanova	300/1
Davidson	500/1
Arkansas	500/1
Mississippi	500/1
Virginia	500/1
LaSalle	500/1
Iowa State	500/1
Tennessee	500/1
Vanderbilt	500/1
Baylor	500/1
Xavier	500/1
Cincinnati	500/1
Maryland	1000/1
BYU	1000/1
Purdue	1000/1
Seton Hall	1000/1
St. John's	1000/1
West Virginia	1000/1
St. Joseph's	1000/1
Drexel	1000/1
Stanford	1000/1
Southern Miss	1000/1
Mississippi State	1000/1
Providence	1000/1
Oregon State	1000/1
Ohio	1000/1
Northern Iowa	1000/1
Texas A&M	1000/1
South Florida	1000/1
Washington	1000/1
Dayton	1000/1
Clemson	1000/1
Rutgers	1000/1
Texas	1000/1
Florida State	1000/1
Long Beach State	1000/1
Northwestern	1000/1
Iowa	1000/1
Murray State	1000/1
LSU	1000/1
George Mason	1000/1
Marshall	1000/1
Virginia Tech	1000/1
Georgia	1000/1
Harvard	1000/1
Ole Miss	1000/1
Richmond	1000/1
DePaul	1000/1
Utah State	1000/1
Nevada	1000/1
USC	1000/1
South Carolina	1000/1
Georgia Tech	1000/1
St. Bonaventure	1000/1

 

Spartans crush Badgers: Jud's chooses MSU in Indiana v Michigan matchup

OK, so Wisconsin had its WORST shooting night in forever, and Appling woke up as Michigan State's men's hoop team smoked Wisconsin by 15 points last night, And Michigan State has an outside shot to a four-way tie for the Big Ten regular season title with Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan?... but only if Michigan beats Indiana.

The ES is 100% in line with coach Izzo's comments to ESPN in the pending Indy v Rodents matchup: "Izzo said his mentor, former Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote, wouldn't want him to root for rival Michigan to win in any circumstance.  'I'm going to pull for Michigan State,' Izzo said."

"Our defense was unbelievable," Izzo said.

Right.  These Spartans, who outplayed  Indiana and Michigan but folded very late in their losses, have the defense and the grit to make a deep run in the tourney.  If Appling comes to play from this point forward, the ES's $20 bet on the Spartans in Vegas to win it all may make the ES a rich  man for a day.

Joe Lunardi's Bracketology has the Spartans as a #3 seed in the tourney... but methinks this team has as much grit and determination as any Spartan Final Four team in recent years, and a win in the Big Ten championship tourney could make MSU an outside #1 seed.... 

Spartans to the Promised Land! Go GREEN!

COME ON BIG GREEN!  Take us to the Promised Land!  National Title, case A:  Long Island U at  Brooklyn...This is OUR YEAR!  We know it, we can feel it!

The ES hasn't been this JACKED for an opening round Michigan State game since 2000.  You can feel it.  Green, Appling, Nix, Payne, Thornton, Wood, Trice, and Kearney are the BEST TEAM, the BEST DEFENSIVE EIGHT in America. 

Can't wait to watch this TEAM ROCK THE WORLD TO THE PROMISED LAND! 

10 warm thoughts about MSU beating Ohio State and earning a #1 seed in the tourney

Top 10 list of Michigan State's dominating victory over Ohio State to claim the B1G Ten title OUTRIGHT. This is in order, from the 10th best to the ultimate best:

10. Watching OSU's Sullinger sulk, after once again stymied to his best effort against MSU, just a 7-19 shooting (37%) and 9 rebounds stint. Thanks to the Spartan BIG trio of Green-Payne-Nix
9. Beating the Buckeyes two of the last three, both away from the Breslin Center.
8. Eddie Hightower wasn't on the court.
7. Tom Izzo's technical foul at the end of the first half, sending a signal for defensive intensity.
6. Draymond Green three-pointer with 1:36 remaining to DEFINE HIS PLACE as Big Ten Player of the Year
5. Derrick Nix jumper in the post over Sullinger with 5:17 left, just showing that Sullinger is no wise-guy and that Sullinger's sh*t still stinks.
4. Brandon Wood, 21 pts. Thank you Valpo.
3. MSU wins the B1G Ten outright, first title since 2000, when we won the national title.
2. Big Green gets #1 seed, first since 2000, when we won the national title.
1. Knowing in every single time MSU has earned a #5 seed or better since 1998, Michigan State has reached the Final Four 6 of 7 times (the other time, we made the Elite 8 in 2008 as a #5 seed).  NICE. 

Rewind: Izzo interview pre-season of 2010-11

Just added fire and inspiration.... Here is an interview just prior to the season on the Spartan hoops team via ESPN:



Hey, a season is an eternity. Many things happen, within and without a coach's control (grades, family, environment, legal issues, NCAA, eligibility, etc)... but, it is worth reviewing the preseason inflation of the team to remember what expectations were before the season imploded... Here are some key quote from the $3.5 million-man, from last October/November, just before season tip-off.:

"With depth and talent, it’s not quite the talent we had with the 2000-2001 teams, we had 4-5 pros and I don’t know how many we’ll have on this team…”

“But the key word you said is with injuries, and injury-wise, I don’t know how far we can come back but right now, we are injury free… but the time we missed over the summer, it is tough to tell how much damage that will do until the year really gets started… but I do think that the chemistry has been great, we have the ability to go big go small play different styles….. but, no excuses, if coach doesn’t screw ‘em up, it should be a pretty good team.”

Again, the ES says, Spartans... is it IN you?

Izzo suspended by NCAA

A little bit about hoops. Tom Izzo getting a suspension from the NCAA for a secondary violation? Yes, Coach Izzo should have been more adroit when it comes to what he's trying to do to entice players to the MSU program. Is he being used as an example? Yes, he is.

So, let's not make more out of it than what it is. He violated the rules and is paying his pennance. But, not coaching vs Prairie View A&M isn't a tough sentence. Rather, it DOES speak volumes of the problems of recruiting and too much emphasis and resources being placed on going after kids in AAU (or other third party) summer camps. It's really ridiculous, let's be honest.

No big foul here, though. Next up: Texas, Dec. 22.

Don't lose any sleep over it. The ES won't.

"I am here for life at MSU." Izzo Press Confernece 8:30 EST.

Tom Izzo Stays at Michigan State.

Press conference to be on Big Ten Network, scheduled 8:30 pm EST.

Comments from Izzo. My God, he is a GEM.

"...this opportunity was uniquely intriguing. There was a lot of information to gather and consider and some of it wasn't easily obtainable. But when making a life decision, I owed it to myself and my family to do my due diligence. From that I never wavered. And I'm pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State.

"We have a great team returning next year with incredibly high goals. I've repeatedly said I have greater goals for our program and that remains unchanged. Tops on that list is becoming one of just seven schools with three or more NCAA Championships. I'm also driven to continue to raise the perception of our program to an elite level.

"The entire Michigan State community has been terrific. I'm almost embarrassed by some of the acts of support, but I'm certainly touched. I tried to approach this decision in a rational manner, but my heart was always at MSU.

"My goals are not limited to Spartan basketball. I want to do whatever I can to make our entire athletic department and university better. Most important is helping Mark Dantonio and his football team attain its goal of winning a Big Ten Championship and playing in the Rose Bowl.""

Michigan State President Lou Anna K. Simon:

""I personally want to thank the many people who expressed their faith in and support of Tom through spontaneous grassroots appeals. I also want to acknowledge the great leadership of Mark Hollis throughout the process.

""Tom's integral role and respect at MSU earned him the right to take the necessary time to reach his decision. Like others, I wanted the good news earlier, but the wait was worth it. Tom did what Tom does best: he devised a rigorous and thorough game plan that put him, his family, and this university in the best position to win. His decision is a winner for all of Team MSU, the state of Michigan, college basketball, and intercollegiate athletics in general.""

TOM IZZO STAYS AT MICHIGAN STATE

TOM IZZO IS A SPARTAN! HE STAYS!

Just announced in East Lansing, 6:45 pm on Tuesday. WILX TV-10 with Tim Staudt (link here).

GO WIN A NATIONAL TITLE. WE LOVE YOU TOM! No money in the world can take you way from the East Lansing community that loves and cherishes you so much!

Confirmed reports of discussion with Board of Trustees earlier in the day.

THANK YOU!!!!

Where else are you gonna get this much love, signs and rallies just to keep you around, and go out on your career on TOP as one of the greatest ever.... the risk is too great, and it is something you can't buy. Coach, you belong at Michigan State, you have built this program into an empire, and this year may be the greatest team you've ever had. You are MSU, and we Spartans are proud to acknowledge it.

WE LOVE IZZO photos - it is everywhere

WE LOVE IZZO spreads across Michigan

The "WE LOVE IZZO" campaign is in full bloom. AS noted in today's Lansing State Journal, thousands of signs, banners, and what-have-you-nots are decorating the greater Lansing area in a sway to KEEP IZZO AT MICHIGAN STATE. The ES saw signs up and down Okemos Road by the Meridian Mall, just this afternoon.

Check out the website and support the cause, anything we can do to keep our beloved coach from making a decision that speaks to his and our hearts - Izzo BELONGS at Michigan State.

http://weloveizzo.com/

Izzo to Cleveland: a "heartbreak"

Best commentary yet on Izzo and MSU vs Cleveland:

The Outcome

The objective sports fan has to wonder, is this really about money? Tom Izzo makes more than three million a season in Michigan and lives like a king. A move to the NBA could be a mistake. While his large bank account would get even bigger, what if it didn't work out?

Just as LeBron James belongs in a Cleveland Cavalier uniform, Tom Izzo should be seen pacing the sidelines of the Breslin Center. If Tom Izzo leaves this school, it will be a mistake for his career and heartbreak for the loyal fans of Michigan State.

Tom, if you're reading this, please do the sports world a favor: Stay in East Lansing where you belong and bring the MSU another national title.

As one MSU grad stated today, "The waiting is the hardest part." Good luck Mr. Izzo. In every sense of the word, the ball is in your court.
Click here to find out more!

Izzo to Announce on Saturday

Izzo will make announcement on Saturday. MSU or Cleveland Cavaliers?

As Tom Waits says,

... and so you ask me
what I'm doing here
holding up a lamp post
flippin this quarter,
trying to make up my mind

and if it's heads I'll go to
(Cleveland), and tails I'll (stay at State)...
if it lands on the edge
I'll keep talking to you

Izzo and Conference Realignment

Here is an idea - is Izzo in a secret meeting, in negotiations to create his own superconference?

Maybe Tom Izzo is working to be the commissioner of the Izzoopolis Conference, with Michigan State, Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, ....

Izzo in closed door meeting: Friday afternoon

Izzo only got fitted for his championship rings with the players, but likely gave them a hint of what is going on...

WDIV TV-4 in Detroit

UPDATE: Izzo Back To Work At MSU
MSU Group Organizes Impromptu Rally

POSTED: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
UPDATED: 4:47 pm EDT June 11, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State Basketball Coach Tom Izzo is back to work in East Lansing and has meet with the basketball team.

Izzo was at his office at the Breslin Center and the team showed up at 3:20 p.m.

After the players left the closed-door meeting, the players would only tell Local 4's Katrina Hancock that they were there to get fitted for their Big Ten Championship rings.

None of the players would comment on Izzo.

Izzo returned home to Lansing Thursday around 11:30 p.m. not saying much, but plenty of apologies after meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers about a possible job as head coach.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you guys more," Izzo said.

Uh oh. Not good news.

UPDATE: Izzo Calls Team Meeting
MSU Group Organizes Impromptu Rally

POSTED: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
UPDATED: 3:39 pm EDT June 11, 2010

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State Basketball Coach Tom Izzo has called a closed-door team meeting Friday afternoon.

Izzo lead the team into the basketball operations building at 3:20 p.m.

There is no word on what he is talking about with his team, but Local 4's Katrina Hancock is outside of the building waiting for public comment.

Izzo returned home to Lansing Thursday around 11:30 p.m. not saying much, but plenty of apologies after meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers about a possible job as head coach.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you guys more," Izzo said.

Izzo, his wife, Lupe, and their two children returned on a private jet from touring the Cavaliers facility, got into their car and drove off.Izzo said he was not aware there was an impromptu rally.

MSU basketball fans held an impromptu rally outside the Breslin Center in East Lansing to persuade Izzo to stay at the school.

ESPN said it appears Izzo is very close to moving ahead and is mulling over a contract worth $6 million.Overall, he declined to discuss the trip, but when asked about a timetable, Izzo said. "It's not gonna be forever, that's for sure."Local 4's Katrina Hancock went to Cleveland.

Izzo: MSU vs Cavaliers. Still a jump ball.

No decision by Izzo yet: Larry Lage, AP report.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo writes in a text message to The Associated Press that he still hasn't made a decision about coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Izzo's text message was received late Friday morning.

The longtime Spartans' coach flew to Cleveland on Thursday and visited with members of the Cavs' front office and coaching staff. He returned to Lansing, Mich. late Thursday night.

No heir apparent at MSU

Here it why Izzo must stay. Best article yet on the "coaching crater" that Izzo would leave behind if he splits town.

Bottom line: He has yet to establish an heir apparent, and the timing is very poor for Michigan State in trying to find a replacement for the upcoming season -- beyond Brian Gregory at Dayton.

Follow your heart.

Tom Izzo: one word of advice.

FOLLOW YOUR HEART.