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MICHIGAN ST
OKLAHOMA |
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137
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Final
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| NCAA - East Regional Semifinals - Carrier Dome - Syracuse, NY | | |  | |
| 879 | MICHIGAN ST | -1.5 | -1.5 | | 880 | OKLAHOMA | 134.5 | 136 |
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| All Games | 25-11 | -1.1 | 20-15 | 19-15 | 71.5 | 33.0 | 47.0% | 37.4 | 63.1 | 27.6 | 39.5% | 31.4 | | Road Games | 13-7 | +4.7 | 12-7 | 12-8 | 69.3 | 32.0 | 47.0% | 36.0 | 64.2 | 29.9 | 40.0% | 31.5 | | Last 5 Games | 4-1 | +3.7 | 3-1 | 3-2 | 67.4 | 30.2 | 46.4% | 34.2 | 64.4 | 26.4 | 38.0% | 34.6 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 71.5 | 33.0 | 26-56 | 47.0% | 7-19 | 38.8% | 12-18 | 63.0% | 37 | 10 | 17 | 19 | 5 | 11 | 5 | | vs opponents surrendering | 64.6 | 29.7 | 23-55 | 42.2% | 6-19 | 33.9% | 12-17 | 68.9% | 33 | 9 | 12 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 3 | | Team Stats (Road Games) | 69.3 | 32.0 | 26-55 | 47.0% | 8-19 | 39.6% | 10-16 | 65.1% | 36 | 9 | 15 | 20 | 5 | 11 | 4 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 63.1 | 27.6 | 21-54 | 39.5% | 6-19 | 31.8% | 15-20 | 72.0% | 31 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 6 | 11 | 3 | | vs opponents averaging | 68.6 | 32.3 | 24-54 | 44.5% | 7-19 | 35.7% | 14-19 | 71.4% | 34 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 6 | 12 | 4 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 64.2 | 29.9 | 21-53 | 40.0% | 6-17 | 32.3% | 16-22 | 73.8% | 32 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 5 | 10 | 3 |
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| All Games | 24-10 | -2.5 | 16-16 | 12-18 | 71.9 | 34.6 | 43.7% | 38.1 | 62.8 | 28.6 | 38.6% | 36.5 | | Road Games | 10-9 | -1 | 8-11 | 5-14 | 67.6 | 31.5 | 40.4% | 37.3 | 65.1 | 30.0 | 40.2% | 35.8 | | Last 5 Games | 4-1 | +2.9 | 2-3 | 2-3 | 69.0 | 30.6 | 40.5% | 40.6 | 63.0 | 29.0 | 39.7% | 32.8 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 71.9 | 34.6 | 25-58 | 43.7% | 7-20 | 34.6% | 14-19 | 73.8% | 38 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 7 | 12 | 5 | | vs opponents surrendering | 65.1 | 30.1 | 23-54 | 42.0% | 6-18 | 34.3% | 13-19 | 68.6% | 33 | 9 | 12 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 4 | | Team Stats (Road Games) | 67.6 | 31.5 | 23-56 | 40.4% | 6-21 | 30.7% | 16-20 | 77.4% | 37 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 6 | 13 | 4 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 62.8 | 28.6 | 23-59 | 38.6% | 6-20 | 31.6% | 11-17 | 65.7% | 36 | 10 | 11 | 18 | 7 | 14 | 4 | | vs opponents averaging | 68.9 | 32 | 24-54 | 43.7% | 6-18 | 34.6% | 15-22 | 69.1% | 35 | 10 | 13 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 4 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 65.1 | 30.0 | 23-58 | 40.2% | 7-19 | 33.5% | 12-18 | 68.0% | 36 | 10 | 12 | 18 | 7 | 12 | 4 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: MICHIGAN ST 78.2, OKLAHOMA 79.9 |
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| 2/7/2015 | ILLINOIS | 54-59 | L | -9.5 | L | 131.5 | U | 20-52 | 38.5% | 35 | 10 | 21-51 | 41.2% | 34 | 9 | | 2/10/2015 | @ NORTHWESTERN | 68-44 | W | -7 | W | 128 | U | 23-50 | 46.0% | 34 | 11 | 15-42 | 35.7% | 26 | 15 | | 2/14/2015 | OHIO ST | 59-56 | W | -2.5 | W | 138 | U | 24-50 | 48.0% | 31 | 11 | 23-52 | 44.2% | 31 | 9 | | 2/17/2015 | @ MICHIGAN | 80-67 | W | -5 | W | 118 | O | 31-50 | 62.0% | 33 | 8 | 19-48 | 39.6% | 25 | 6 | | 2/22/2015 | @ ILLINOIS | 60-53 | W | -2.5 | W | 127 | U | 20-47 | 42.6% | 36 | 11 | 15-52 | 28.8% | 28 | 5 | | 2/26/2015 | MINNESOTA | 90-96 | L | -8 | L | 132.5 | O | 29-63 | 46.0% | 37 | 13 | 29-56 | 51.8% | 33 | 7 | | 3/1/2015 | @ WISCONSIN | 61-68 | L | 9 | W | 126.5 | O | 24-53 | 45.3% | 24 | 7 | 26-50 | 52.0% | 35 | 8 | | 3/4/2015 | PURDUE | 72-66 | W | -6.5 | L | 129.5 | O | 23-52 | 44.2% | 32 | 8 | 24-53 | 45.3% | 34 | 14 | | 3/7/2015 | @ INDIANA | 74-72 | W | -1.5 | W | 143 | O | 28-64 | 43.7% | 40 | 8 | 24-52 | 46.2% | 35 | 14 | | 3/13/2015 | *OHIO ST | 76-67 | W | -1.5 | W | 134 | O | 29-61 | 47.5% | 39 | 8 | 23-58 | 39.7% | 38 | 12 | | 3/14/2015 | *MARYLAND | 62-58 | W | -4 | T | 131 | U | 22-50 | 44.0% | 33 | 11 | 20-50 | 40.0% | 30 | 13 | | 3/15/2015 | *WISCONSIN | 69-80 | L | 7 | L | 128 | O | 27-53 | 50.9% | 32 | 13 | 25-52 | 48.1% | 23 | 7 | | 3/20/2015 | *GEORGIA | 70-63 | W | -5.5 | W | 126.5 | O | 26-57 | 45.6% | 35 | 9 | 19-57 | 33.3% | 43 | 12 | | 3/22/2015 | *VIRGINIA | 60-54 | W | 4.5 | W | 117.5 | U | 17-40 | 42.5% | 32 | 6 | 17-57 | 29.8% | 39 | 5 | | 3/27/2015 | *OKLAHOMA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 2/7/2015 | @ TCU | 68-56 | W | -3.5 | W | 129.5 | U | 24-52 | 46.2% | 47 | 17 | 23-73 | 31.5% | 43 | 14 | | 2/9/2015 | IOWA ST | 94-83 | W | -5.5 | W | 151.5 | O | 39-77 | 50.6% | 38 | 7 | 31-65 | 47.7% | 36 | 14 | | 2/14/2015 | @ KANSAS ST | 56-59 | L | -3.5 | L | 127 | U | 20-53 | 37.7% | 27 | 13 | 13-49 | 26.5% | 36 | 13 | | 2/17/2015 | TEXAS | 71-69 | W | -6.5 | L | 131.5 | O | 22-61 | 36.1% | 37 | 5 | 24-55 | 43.6% | 40 | 13 | | 2/21/2015 | @ TEXAS TECH | 79-75 | W | -10 | L | 123 | O | 24-54 | 44.4% | 24 | 15 | 26-44 | 59.1% | 27 | 22 | | 2/28/2015 | TCU | 67-60 | W | -11.5 | L | 135 | U | 22-49 | 44.9% | 34 | 10 | 22-53 | 41.5% | 29 | 11 | | 3/2/2015 | @ IOWA ST | 70-77 | L | 6 | L | 152 | U | 22-62 | 35.5% | 38 | 12 | 29-60 | 48.3% | 44 | 16 | | 3/7/2015 | KANSAS | 75-73 | W | -6.5 | L | 142 | O | 26-68 | 38.2% | 44 | 9 | 24-63 | 38.1% | 44 | 11 | | 3/12/2015 | *OKLAHOMA ST | 64-49 | W | -5 | W | 134 | U | 20-56 | 35.7% | 41 | 6 | 19-55 | 34.5% | 36 | 11 | | 3/13/2015 | *IOWA ST | 65-67 | L | 0 | L | 150 | U | 24-59 | 40.7% | 43 | 14 | 26-57 | 45.6% | 27 | 8 | | 3/20/2015 | *ALBANY | 69-60 | W | -13 | L | 131.5 | U | 25-57 | 43.9% | 40 | 9 | 23-61 | 37.7% | 34 | 7 | | 3/22/2015 | *DAYTON | 72-66 | W | -4 | W | 129.5 | O | 22-49 | 44.9% | 35 | 15 | 22-51 | 43.1% | 23 | 13 | | 3/27/2015 | *MICHIGAN ST | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | MICHIGAN ST: The Spartans have lost a lot from last year's Elite Eight team, but there are still some pieces for head coach Tom Izzo to build on for another great season. F/G Branden Dawson (11.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG) is one of the most versatile players in the country. He can have a big night on the offensive end, but he is also capable of a double-digit rebounding game by dominating the glass. This year, he will have to take on more of a scoring role, as the Spartans will have to replace a majority of their points. The backcourt of PG Denzel Valentine (8.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.8 APG) and SG Travis Trice (7.3 PPG, 2.3 APG and 1.6 RPG) are two solid guards who must provide the Spartans leadership and a calming presence on the field. Freshman G/F Javon Bess made some noise in the offseason, as he was playing very well in scrimmages. He is a guy who is physically ready to play as a freshman, and he could be contributing very early in his career. | | OKLAHOMA: The Sooners have one of the budding stars in the conference in SG Buddy Hield (16.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 39% threes). The 6-foot-4 Hield is capable of scoring from anywhere on the court, and he becomes nearly impossible to guard when he is hitting perimeter shot. With Cameron Clark graduating, Hield will become the unquestioned No. 1 scoring option on the team. SG Isaiah Cousins (11.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 40% threes) will also be looked upon more as a scorer, and he proved last season he is ready for the opportunity. PF Ryan Spangler (9.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 58% FG) is the leading returning rebounder in the conference, which is huge for an undersized Sooners team. The team ranked seventh in the nation in scoring last season, but to take the next step in the Big 12, the Sooners are going to have to make some more stops on the defensive end, as they allowed 76.0 PPG (last in Big 12) last season. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW (MICHIGAN ST-OKLAHOMA) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Updates throughout. With AP Photos.)
*Michigan St.-Oklahoma Preview* ===============================
By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer
Michigan State (25-11) at Oklahoma (24-10), 10:07 p.m. EDT
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- Michigan State coach Tom Izzo isn't sure where his career would have led had he accepted the Atlanta Hawks' offer some 15 years ago.
"I'd have probably been fired a week later," Izzo said with a self-deprecating smile on Thursday.
And Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger isn't going to hold it against Izzo for turning down the Hawks' job and recommending they hire him.
"I don't know if I should thank him or not," Kruger joked, recalling how he was fired after two-plus seasons. "Other than getting fired in Atlanta, it was all good. Yeah, I wouldn't change anything."
The two coaches whose careers have taken divergent paths reunite in an NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinal at Syracuse on Friday night. That's when the third-seeded Sooners (24-10) face the seventh-seeded Spartans (25-11).
This is old hat for Izzo, who has reached the Sweet 16 for fourth-straight year, and 13th in 20 seasons at Michigan State.
Kruger, who has taken more of a scenic route to coaching, has reached the regional round for the fourth time and with his fourth team.
Whatever works, said Izzo, referring to the 62-year-old Kruger, who is at his sixth school in a 27-year college career.
"I think Lon Kruger has proven that no matter where he goes, he can make tweaks in what he does, but his system works," Izzo said.
The Sooners are just the latest example of Kruger's rebuilding ability. In four years under Kruger, Oklahoma is making its deepest tournament push since the Blake Griffin-led Sooners reached the Elite 8 in 2009.
Oklahoma features a stifling defense that's limiting opponents to a 38.6 field-goal percentage. On offense, they're led by Bahamian-born guard Buddy Hield, the Big 12 player of the year, who is averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.
The Spartans are one of the tournament's surprise teams after a 60-54 win over second-seeded Virginia last weekend.
They've won six of seven, and done it with timely shooting and aggressive defense in making up for a team that lost three of its four top scorers last spring.
The Spartans certainly don't look much different to Kruger since he left the Big Ten for the NBA after four years at Illinois.
"They're more similar than they are different," Kruger said. "If you asked that about Tom's club 15 years ago, I probably would have said the same things."
Here are some things to watch for in the region's late-night semifinal matchup:
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CARIBBEAN CONNECTION
Hield offered a few words of advice to Michigan State guard and fellow Bahamian Tum Tum Nairn when he was deciding on where to play.
"I told Tum Tum, `Go wherever is best for Tum Tum. Don't go where you think is good for Buddy,"' said Hield, who hosted Nairn on his recruiting visit to Norman, Oklahoma.
The two played together at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. And Nairn chose to play at Michigan State, where he is only the fourth true freshman point guard to start for the Spartans.
"I consider him my brother," Hield said. "Someone's going to lose tomorrow, and I hope it's not me."
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ANOTHER ASSIST
Spartans guard Travis Trice bailed out fellow senior Branden Dawson while he was stuck trying to remember how many Sweet 16 appearances he's enjoyed.
"This is our, what, third one?" Dawson said.
"Fourth," said Trice, interrupting.
Trice has been on a roll this season. After just eight starts in his first three years, he's leading the Spartans in scoring (15 points) and assists (5.1). In the past 13 games, he's upped his scoring average to 17.8 points.
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D-FENSE
Kruger had an easy time emphasizing the importance of defense last offseason after the Sooners gave up an average 76 points and lost their tournament opener 80-75 in overtime to North Dakota State.
"It wasn't a tough sales job," Kruger said, noting how Oklahoma is now allowing just under 63 points per game.
Added forward Ryan Spangler: "Defense is the reason we're this far this year."
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PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999
The Spartans are 5-3 all-time against Oklahoma, and won their only tournament meeting in 1999. That's when the Izzo-coached Spartans beat the Sooners 54-46 in the Midwest Regional semifinal.
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DIVERSITY
After playing two defensive-minded teams, Izzo is looking forward to facing a more up-tempo style opponent in the Sooners. Not that it matters to him after noting the Spartans are capable of playing any style. "We can play smash-mouth and we can play race-horse," he said.
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| | Last Updated: 4/26/2024 3:14:43 AM EST. |
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