Oh to be at Auburn Hills Again - SDSU-MIchigan Should be Fun
With the South Dakota State Jackrabbits men's team headed to the Palace at Auburn Hills to play in the Big Dance on Thursday, I was reminded me of my own adventure to Detroit in 2000.
Thirteen years ago, I worked as a sports information assistant (game notes) at the 2000 NCAA Midwest Regional (semifinals/finals) won by Michigan State, the eventual national champion.
With the NCAA Tournament set up a bit different these days, Michigan State will again play at the Palace in the Midwest Regional. Also at the Palace will be the game featuring SDSU, a #13 seed, and # 4 Michigan, making their 24th appearance, as part of the South Region.
Like a year ago, SDSU, led by one of the nation's top point guards in Nate Wolters, is a trending upset pick. Some are suggesting with good reason that Wolters and his mates could cause problems for Michigan (26-7), which has its own standout point guard in Trey Burke (19.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 6.7 apg), the Big Ten Player of the Year and Sports Illustrated National Player of the Year. The game is in Michigan's backyard with the Palace just 50 miles from their campus. Still, Michigan, once ranked #1, is just 6-6 in its last 12 games. Besides Burke the Wolverines will feature Tim Hardaway, Jr. (14.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Nick Stauskas (11.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Glenn Robinson, III (10.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg). Remember that Burke (65), Hardaway (71) and Stauskas (60) all have hit over 60 3's on the season and Michigan is hitting 38.3% from deep (247-645). And, yes, Hardaway and Robinson are the sons and namesakes of the former NBA stars. Also note of that 6-6 mark, they had a one-point loss to Indiana (one of four #1 seeds) and a one-point home win over third-seeded Michigan State.
Scott Nagy's SDSU squad (25-9), which won the Summit League Tourney for a second straight year, has a shot because of the explosive senior guard Wolters (22.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.2 apg, 2,353 career points and 663 career assists), who was the Summit League Player of the Year. Other Jackrabbit weapons include junior all-league forward Jordan Dykstra (12.5 ppg, 7.9 ppg, 1,137 career points) and senior Summit League honorable mention selection Tony Feigen (10.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg). Remember folks that SDSU, which is making a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance, pushed the Big 12's Baylor a year ago in the Big Dance before falling 68-60 in a first round game.
I wish I was back in Detroit for this one. I have a feeling that Wolters will show up in a big-time way, further dazzling NBA scouts. Whether the Jackrabbits advance is a tough call. They could play extremely well and still lose to a talented Michigan team, regardless of recent results.
Anyway back to the 2000 region. In that final Tom Izzo's Michigan State continued their run to a NCAA championship behind the play of Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson. The Spartans defeated Iowa State, 75-64, in the regional final. Remember if you will that Cyclones team was directed by head coach Larry Eustachy and led by future NBA players Jamaal Tinsley and Marcus Fizer.
Besides Peterson and Cleaves, MSU featured Charlie Bell, A.J. Granger, Andrew Hutson and Jason Richardson (later NBA star). In the regional championship, MSU overcame an eight-point second half deficit (48-40 with 12 minutes left). In the final 4:50, MSU outscored the Cyclones, 20-3, and in the final moments of the game Eustachy received two technical fouls and was ejected.
Also at Auburn Hills in 2000 was Syracuse and Jim Boeheim, along with UCLA (Jaron Bush, Matt Barnes, Jason Kapono, Earl Watson and coach Steve Lavin). Those teams are part of the 2013 field, just not at Auburn Hills.
2000, you all might remember, was the year Gonzaga made a run to the West Regional Elite 16 while Duke and Florida vied for the East regional and North Carolina, Miami, Fla., Tennessee and Tulsa battled in the South. The Final Four was Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan State, which defeated the Gators for the title inIndianapolis.
Now 13 years later, Gonzaga is the #1 team in the country and earned a #1 seed. It is the first time that a mid-major has been ranked #1. Florida, Michigan State, Miami and Duke are again among the favorites to take home the hardware.
Back then, the regional program cost $7. I imagine that has changed. But the one thing that won't change is the nation will again be glued to games in Auburn Hills. And, a lot of eyes will be focused on Wolters and Burke.
I will be watching too...just in front of a TV set in western Sioux Falls.
I will think a little about that classic battle between two ag-based schools in 2000. And, yes, I will recall that the cowbells were ringing as the fans from Ames and East Lansing gathered on championship night.
This time more bells are liking to be rung in a State-U battle of a different kind.
Both schools will sing the "blues," although with a lot of cheer and spirit.
University of Michigan vs. South Dakota State.
Should be interesting with SDSU faithful chanting "Naters Gonna Nate" (and I imagine some cowbells) and its popular theme of "Go Big, Go Blue, Go Jacks" along with a lot of South Dakota pride and passion. And, Wolverines nation will offer up "Lets Go Blue" and "Go Michigan," in its own "Pure Michigan" energy.
Can't wait.
Thirteen years ago, I worked as a sports information assistant (game notes) at the 2000 NCAA Midwest Regional (semifinals/finals) won by Michigan State, the eventual national champion.
With the NCAA Tournament set up a bit different these days, Michigan State will again play at the Palace in the Midwest Regional. Also at the Palace will be the game featuring SDSU, a #13 seed, and # 4 Michigan, making their 24th appearance, as part of the South Region.
Like a year ago, SDSU, led by one of the nation's top point guards in Nate Wolters, is a trending upset pick. Some are suggesting with good reason that Wolters and his mates could cause problems for Michigan (26-7), which has its own standout point guard in Trey Burke (19.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 6.7 apg), the Big Ten Player of the Year and Sports Illustrated National Player of the Year. The game is in Michigan's backyard with the Palace just 50 miles from their campus. Still, Michigan, once ranked #1, is just 6-6 in its last 12 games. Besides Burke the Wolverines will feature Tim Hardaway, Jr. (14.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Nick Stauskas (11.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and Glenn Robinson, III (10.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg). Remember that Burke (65), Hardaway (71) and Stauskas (60) all have hit over 60 3's on the season and Michigan is hitting 38.3% from deep (247-645). And, yes, Hardaway and Robinson are the sons and namesakes of the former NBA stars. Also note of that 6-6 mark, they had a one-point loss to Indiana (one of four #1 seeds) and a one-point home win over third-seeded Michigan State.
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| Nate Wolters of South Dakota State |
I wish I was back in Detroit for this one. I have a feeling that Wolters will show up in a big-time way, further dazzling NBA scouts. Whether the Jackrabbits advance is a tough call. They could play extremely well and still lose to a talented Michigan team, regardless of recent results.
Anyway back to the 2000 region. In that final Tom Izzo's Michigan State continued their run to a NCAA championship behind the play of Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson. The Spartans defeated Iowa State, 75-64, in the regional final. Remember if you will that Cyclones team was directed by head coach Larry Eustachy and led by future NBA players Jamaal Tinsley and Marcus Fizer.
Besides Peterson and Cleaves, MSU featured Charlie Bell, A.J. Granger, Andrew Hutson and Jason Richardson (later NBA star). In the regional championship, MSU overcame an eight-point second half deficit (48-40 with 12 minutes left). In the final 4:50, MSU outscored the Cyclones, 20-3, and in the final moments of the game Eustachy received two technical fouls and was ejected.
Also at Auburn Hills in 2000 was Syracuse and Jim Boeheim, along with UCLA (Jaron Bush, Matt Barnes, Jason Kapono, Earl Watson and coach Steve Lavin). Those teams are part of the 2013 field, just not at Auburn Hills.
2000, you all might remember, was the year Gonzaga made a run to the West Regional Elite 16 while Duke and Florida vied for the East regional and North Carolina, Miami, Fla., Tennessee and Tulsa battled in the South. The Final Four was Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan State, which defeated the Gators for the title inIndianapolis.
Now 13 years later, Gonzaga is the #1 team in the country and earned a #1 seed. It is the first time that a mid-major has been ranked #1. Florida, Michigan State, Miami and Duke are again among the favorites to take home the hardware.
Back then, the regional program cost $7. I imagine that has changed. But the one thing that won't change is the nation will again be glued to games in Auburn Hills. And, a lot of eyes will be focused on Wolters and Burke.
I will be watching too...just in front of a TV set in western Sioux Falls.
I will think a little about that classic battle between two ag-based schools in 2000. And, yes, I will recall that the cowbells were ringing as the fans from Ames and East Lansing gathered on championship night.
This time more bells are liking to be rung in a State-U battle of a different kind.
Both schools will sing the "blues," although with a lot of cheer and spirit.
University of Michigan vs. South Dakota State.
Should be interesting with SDSU faithful chanting "Naters Gonna Nate" (and I imagine some cowbells) and its popular theme of "Go Big, Go Blue, Go Jacks" along with a lot of South Dakota pride and passion. And, Wolverines nation will offer up "Lets Go Blue" and "Go Michigan," in its own "Pure Michigan" energy.
Can't wait.
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