On the other side is Lourawls Nairn, the star point guard. The BU men’s basketball team (2-5) failed to pose any threat from the onset as it was throttled, 76-33, by a dominant Spartan squad, one of the best teams in the entire NCAA.
Advertisement
Wide Receiver Aaron Burbridge was Michigan State’s leading receiver catching five passes for 61 yards.
When Saban bolted for LSU in late November 1999, Dantonio stuck around for another season under Bobby Williams before taking the defensive coordinator job at Ohio State. The Bearcats’ 33 points additionally set a program record for fewest points in a game during BU’s Division I era.
Cook, the game’s MVP, methodically moved the Spartans in a drive that consumed almost the final 9 1/2 minutes.
No. 4 Oklahoma is proof that the Big 12’s patience paid off. “I’m looking forward now to can we get better instead of maybe plateauing”. You come in thinking, you know, if you make some shots you can be competitive.
For all of the talk about the league’s two best quarterbacks going head-to-head and the proficient offenses, this game had a decidedly old-school flavor.
The Spartans (9-0) jumped from third to a runaway first following losses last week by then-Nos.
“That was a different time and place”, Dantonio said.
Michigan State’s top ranking likely won’t be threatened much in this contest, but that could change Saturday when Florida comes to East Lansing. The Hawkeyes could never break the game open however, never holding more than a 3 point lead.
“I’m proud of what we’ve done, we’ve earned what we’ve gotten”, said Izzo at his press conference on Monday. “I mean that sincerely”. So I have no problems with where we are now.
“What I tell our players … is guys, you really should be happy and you should be excited about what you have been able to accomplish and winning the SEC championship, but now I have a question for you: What do you want to do now?” said Tide coach Nick Saban, who has led Alabama to three national championships and coached at Michigan State from 1995-99. But the veteran coach was also quick to point out what he felt was a lackluster offensive performance of their own. But the matchup could favor Iowa, which could get back to running the ball after it was shut down by Michigan State.
“What I hope my team does is appreciate the work it took to getting where we are”, said Izzo.
“The Spartans are in because after being kept out of the end zone the entire game, they finally reached it thanks to a little finesse, one terrific throw and catch – and a whole lot of brute force”. “It’s hard when you’re not scoring, because we’re back in transition on nearly every single possession”.
Advertisement
Being ranked No. 1 for now six weeks over the course of 20 years as Michigan State’s coach probably isn’t the first thing Tom Izzo would list on his resume.
