And just so we’re clear, understand that I’m not trying to diminish Michigan State’s roster; it’s a fine roster. But I’m not sure how many future NBA players are on that roster, and I am sure it’s not a roster as good as Connecticut’s roster.
But MSU’s roster just beat UConn’s roster of pros by nine less than a week after it beat Louisville’s roster of pros by 12, and hey, Big East fans, aren’t you glad Tom Izzo isn’t in your league? If not, you better be.
Why?
Because Tom Izzo is a badass, that’s why.
It is an off day at the Final Four and the country is ablaze with love for Tom Izzo. As well they should be. Gary Parrish lavished praise on Izzo in this piece that I think many of you will find very interesting.
At least it won’t be hard for NC State fans to yell “Go State” during Monday night’s National Championship game. But, I do not do this without any pain. MICHIGAN State surpassed NORTH CAROLINA State as the country’s ubiquitous ‘STATE’ about ten years ago. It’s very sad. What in the world does that land grant institution in one of the countries most depressed states and worst climates have over NC State? I will let you answer that on your own.
If you have some free time, I would welcome anyone interested/willing to share some information and links about the history of Michigan State’s program in our comments section.
I can’t help but recall that Ford Field’s previous match-up of Carolina vs Michigan State is the site that provided us the comments that Bobby Knight shared in the video below. If you want to discuss that topic, simply click here.
How about the following interesting statistics to wow your friends?
- EVERY player that has ever worn a uniform for Tom Izzo at Michigan State and has stayed all four seasons has played in at least one Final Four.
- Tom Izzo is an astounding 14-2 in the NCAA Tournament on second games of weekends. If Izzo wins the first game of a weekend (1st round; Sweet 16; or national semi-final) he is 14-2 in the next game.
- ACCNow reminds us that a title game in a crappy city against the Big Ten in 1981 was the last time that Carolina made lost in a championship game.
- Lee Fowler claims to ‘know basketball’, but in his decade at the helm of the NC State athletics department UNC-CH has attended Four Final Fours and could win their second national championship of his tenure. Conversely, NC State has managed to win only five NCAA Tournament games. One more F4 for the Tarheels and they’d have as many F4’s as we’d have tournament victories under Fowler. Does anyone really wonder why?
