Spartans want to run with Memphis

by Steve Grinczel March 25, 2008 00:30AM MLive

EAST LANSING -- The misconceptions and misrepresentations of the Michigan State basketball team have begun anew.

On Sunday night, for example, ESPN studio analyst Digger Phelps said that if Memphis is able to lure MSU into an up-tempo transition game in the NCAA tournament South Region semifinals in Houston, it will spell dire consequences for the Spartans.

Phelps apparently is oblivious to the fact Michigan State would like nothing better than to have the 9:57 p.m. game at Reliant Stadium turn into a track meet.
Memphis, the region's top seed and ranked No. 1 in the nation for much of the season, is known for terrific athletes and the ability to run opponents into the floor boards with a withering fast break.

Fifth-seeded MSU, meantime, is stereotyped as a halfcourt team because of the numerous sets and plays coach Tom Izzo employs out of necessity during the Big Ten grind.

However, to suggest the Spartans (27-8) do not want to run with the Tigers is just plain wrong.

"I do see this as an up-and-down game," Izzo said Monday at his regular weekly news conference. "I hope it is an up-and-down game because I think we have enough depth and we can run, and they are going to run.

"Their break is as good as anybody's in the country, so I'd have to agree with Digger on one thing," Izzo added with a laugh. "But only one."

Izzo spent much of last week trying to debunk the perception that the Spartans are ultra-physical and win by putting opposing players in hammer locks until they cry "uncle."

The Spartans out-toughed a hard-nosed Pittsburgh team in Saturday's second-round game in Denver to advance to the Sweet 16 for the seventh time in 11 years, but "that was not a slugfest like it was made out to be," Izzo said.

Despite Phelps' assessment, Izzo has never made a secret of the fact he would be happiest if he never had to call a play and every MSU basket came off an easy layup that finished a fast break.

The reality of the situation is that Big Ten opponents know this and take great pains to stop the Spartans' running game.

Some teams do not even contest offensive rebounds because they know Michigan State will dominate the boards and want to use missed shots to fuel its break. It's better to get all five players back on defense where they can clog up the running and passing lanes.

If Memphis (35-1) really wants to frustrate MSU, it will walk the ball up like Iowa did in its 43-36 upset of the Spartans in Iowa City, and run the shot clock down to five seconds to limit the number of scoring opportunities. Michigan State had a season-low 16 field goals in that game.

But that would be totally out of character for the Tigers, and the Spartans are thrilled.

"Of course, why not?" said freshman guard Kalin Lucas, who is at his best when he can use his speed and quickness in the open court. "It's going to be a fast-paced game and very physical."

Lucas scored the game-clinching layup against Pitt on a run-out after senior guard Drew Neitzel rebounded a 3-point miss and passed to him for a one-man break.

Michigan State had just eight fast-break points, but they felt so liberating.

"In the Big Ten, teams try to take our break away," Lucas said. "We were able to run a little bit better (against Pitt), and I think we'll be able to do the same thing in this game and still run our offensive plays."

With All-American freshman guard Derrick Rose running the show, Memphis is averaging just fewer than 80 points per game compared to MSU's 71, so Izzo does not necessarily want to see the game get into the 90s.

"What I hope we do is somewhat stop some of their fast break, or, contain it would be a better word because I don't think you're going to stop it.

"I thought (Phelps) would tell me to zone (defend) them because that's what he usually tells me."

Calipari expects a battle

Phelps isn't the only one who might be surprised to see MSU run wild.

"They (the Spartans) play a grind-it-out game offensively," Tigers coach John Calipari said Monday during a news conference in Memphis. "They're used to an every-possession-matters-type game, because you're not going to have a lot.

"You are not going to have the normal 80-possession games. Those games are going to be down in the 60's because of how they play. They run great stuff, but they really grind it out."

Maybe Calipari thinks he is playing Iowa.

Multi-faceted opponent

On the other hand, Izzo said in the event MSU does stop Memphis' transition game, and its dribble-penetration and kick-out passes, it has to be ready to defend in the halfcourt.

"I think Memphis' offense is unique," Izzo said. "And yet, John is a good coach and as he said to me a couple weeks ago, he's still running more plays now instead of just that offense. I think that's because sometimes too much freedom can hurt you, too.

"You try to find warts you can exploit," Izzo said. "I haven't found a lot yet. But it's only Monday and hopefully by (today) we'll find a few more."