Michigan State Basketball: A Wiki of Information

The Michigan State Basketball Wiki is a collaborative site that anyone can edit. It covers everything related to Michigan State basketball from the team’s history to current players.

History

Basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith The first game was played in 1892 at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts. The game quickly gained popularity and by 1896 there were already 100 YMCA teams across the country.

The game was first played at Michigan State in 1898, just two years after the school was founded. The team was coached by Dr. George Denison and the players wore green and white uniforms. The team’s first game was against a local High School team and they won handily, 37-10.

MSU fielded a basketball team every year from 1898 until 1903 when the program was discontinued due to a lack of interest. It wasn’t until 1906 that basketball became a varsity sport at MSU, with team going 6-1 that season. In 1919, MSU hired its first full-time Head Coach Edwin Baker. Under Baker’s leadership, the Spartans won their first conference championship in 1925.

Today, Michigan State is one of the most successful college basketball programs in the country. They have won 5 NCAA Championships (1979, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009) and 17 Big Ten conference championships

Championships

The Michigan State Spartans have won a total of two NCAA Division I Men’s basketball championships in 1979 and 2000. They have also won fourteen Big Ten Conference championships, the most recent coming in 2016.

Notable Players

Since the early 1900s, Michigan State University has been home to a successful men’s Basketball Program The Spartans have produced many notable players who have gone on to play at the professional level, including Magic Johnson Steve Smith and Mateen Cleaves. This article provides a brief overview of some of the most successful MSU basketball players

Notable Players

Magic Johnson: Undoubtedly one of the most famous MSU basketball players of all time, Earvin “Magic” Johnson played for the Spartans from 1977 to 1979. During his time at MSU, Johnson helped lead the team to an NCAA championship in 1979 and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. After his successful college career, Johnson was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA draft He went on to have a highly successful career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships and three MVP Awards In 2002, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame

Steve Smith: Steve Smith played for Michigan State from 1987 to 1991 and is considered one of the best shooters in school history. He is MSU’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made (214) and still holds the record for most points scored in a single season (903). After his collegiate career, Smith was drafted fifth overall by the Miami Heat in the 1991 NBA Draft He enjoyed a long and successful career in the NBA, playing for several teams including the Atlanta Hawks Portland Trail Blazers and Detroit Pistons He was a member of Detroit’s 2004 NBA Championship team and retired from basketball in 2005.

Mateen Cleaves: Mateen Cleaves is one of only two Spartan players to win multiple NCAA Championships (the other being Magic Johnson). He won titles in 1999 and 2000 and was named Most Outstanding Player of both Final Fours. Cleaves is also Michigan State’s all-time leader in assists (816) and steals (316). He was drafted fourteenth overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2000 but never truly found success at the professional level. After several years bouncing around different teams, he retired from basketball in 2006.

Notable Coaches

Notable coaches in the history of Michigan State men’s basketball include Jud Heathcote, Tom Izzo, and Gus Ganakas.

Jud Heathcote coached the Michigan State men’s Basketball team from 1976 to 1995. During his time at Michigan State Heathcote led the Spartans to a record of 328-235 (.581). He also won two Big Ten Conference championships and one NCAA National Championship (in 1979).

Tom Izzo has been the head coach of the Michigan State men’s basketball team since 1995. During his time at Michigan State Izzo has led the Spartans to a record of 662-253 (.723). He has also won eight Big Ten Conference championships and one NCAA National Championship (in 2000).

Gus Ganakas was the Head Coach of the Michigan State men’s Basketball team from 1969 to 1976. During his time at Michigan State Ganakas led the Spartans to a record of 146- 166 (.468).

Rivalries

The Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team has had many rivalries over the years. Some of their most notable rivals include the Michigan Wolverines the Indiana Hoosiers and the Kentucky Wildcats

Traditions

The Michigan State men’s basketball team has a long and storied tradition of success. The Spartans have won 5 NCAA Championships, 7 Big Ten Conference titles, and have appeared in the NCAA tournament 35 times. The team has also produced a number of legendary players, including Magic Johnson Steve Smith, and Mateen Cleaves.

The Spartans play their home games at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University The arena seats over 16,000 fans and is one of the largest arenas in the country. The Spartans are known for having some of the most passionate and dedicated fans in all of college basketball

Home Court

MSU plays its home games at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing Michigan. The facility opened in 1989 and has a capacity of approximately 14,759. The center is named after alumnus and former MSU Board of Trustees member Jack Breslin.

Media Coverage

Michigan State Basketball has been covered by various news media outlets throughout the years. The school’s first national media exposure came in the early 1950s when the team appeared in back-to-back NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship games, losing both times. In 1979, Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser led the Spartans to their first NCAA title, and the team has appeared in six more Final Fours since then. Michigan State is one of the most successful College Basketball programs of all time, and its prominence on the national stage has led to increased media coverage over the years.

The following is a list of some of the most notable Michigan State Basketball media coverage:

-In 1950, Michigan State appeared in its first NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship game losing to Kentucky. This marked the beginning of national media coverage for the school’s Basketball Program
-In 1979, Magic Johnson and Greg Kelser led Michigan State to its first NCAA title, resulting in increased media coverage for the team.
-In 1992, Michigan State appeared in its second consecutive NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship game, this time defeating Duke. The win resulted in even more media attention for the Spartans.
-Since appearing in back-to-back NCAA Championship Games in the early 1950s, Michigan State has appeared in six more Final Fours. This continued success on the national stage has led to increased media coverage for the Spartans over the years.

Fan Base

The Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team has a large and passionate fan base. The team’s games are well-attended, and fans are known for their intensity and support. Spartans fans are some of the most dedicated in the country, and they have a reputation for being knowledgeable about the game.

Spartans fans travel well, and the team has a strong homecourt advantage at the Breslin Center. The arena is often referred to as “the Izzone,” in reference to Tom Izzo, the team’s Head coach The Izzone is one of the loudest and most intimidating arenas in College Basketball and it is known for its students section, which is called “the Zoo.”

The fan base is also very active on social media sharing their love for the team and discussing all things related to Michigan State basketball

Future

What does the future hold for Michigan State Basketball?

This is a difficult question to answer, as it is impossible to know exactly what will happen in the future. However, there are a few things that we can say with relative certainty.

First, it is likely that Michigan State will continue to be a very successful Basketball Program They have had a great deal of success in recent years and there is no reason to believe that this will not continue.

Second, it is possible that Michigan State will make a return to the Final Four in the near future. They have made it to the Elite Eight in back-to-back years, and they have the talent to make a deep run in the tournament.

Finally, it is also possible that Michigan State will win a National Championship in the near future. They have been close in recent years and they have the talent to take home the title.