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Sunday, April 1
Michigan State falls short in title defense
Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS – Tom Izzo bristled at the suggestion that
Michigan State's semifinal loss to Arizona diminished the
accomplishments of seniors Charlie Bell and Andre Hutson.
"That's kind of harsh, yet that's what happens when you're on
the biggest stage," the Spartans coach said Sunday, a day after
the 2000 champions' 80-61 loss to Arizona.
"That's the price you pay. That's the way it is. As everybody
said, it leaves a little bit of a sour taste. But I think I know of
a lot of teams that would like to have done what we did."
The Spartans, the ninth team to advance to the Final Four three
years in a row, joined a long list of national champions who were
unable to repeat. Since UCLA's run of titles from 1967-73, Duke is
the only school to repeat, doing it in 1992.
"I did not watch the film yet," Izzo said, "I don't want to
have nightmares. I still say they were a very good team and I still
think that we played one of our worse games."
The Spartans have won a national title, four Big Ten titles and
a conference-record 115 games to go along with their three
appearances in the national semifinals.
Michigan State's loss was its first in the NCAA Tournament since
losing to Duke in the 1999 Final Four. The Spartans are 16-3 in the
tournament over the past four years. They own an NCAA record with
nine straight double-digit wins in the tournament.
"It's tough to go out losing," Hutson said, "especially after
all we've accomplished."
The Spartans will definitely lose five seniors, and sophomore
Jason Richardson and freshman Zach Randolph may choose to enter the
NBA draft.
"I think all three of us will be back," Izzo said. "I really
do."
Izzo said, "three of us," because his future at Michigan State
could become a question if an NBA team throws millions at him, like
the Atlanta Hawks did a year ago.
"I don't know if I'll have opportunities," Izzo said.
"There's been speculation. I have not talked to anybody, contrary
to popular belief, in Detroit or any other place. ... I still think
I have to work to do here. I still think I'm a college guy.
"I'm saying right now that I'm coming back. I'm not looking for
any offers and I'm not waiting for any offers."
If Richardson and Randolph return, the Spartans will have four
of their top six scorers back and three post players that played at
least 22 games this season.
McDonald's All-American Kelvin Torbert, a shooting guard from
Flint, Mich., will likely replace Bell, which will continue Izzo's
tradition of having "Flintstones," on the roster. Freshmen Alan
Anderson of Minneapolis and Chris Hill of Indianapolis will provide
depth on the perimeter.
"I think we could be very, very good," Izzo said. "I think we
could be back here next year."
Izzo said he will take this week to analyze his program and
search for ways that it can establish the winning aura that Duke
has.
"Duke is what I dream of," Izzo said. "They seem to get it
done year after year."
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