Following losses in their first two games to top-10 teams, MSU suffered two other losses to top-20 teams. 1-seeded Duke, which MSU had not defeated since 1958. This marked the 19th consecutive year the Spartans made the NCAA tournament. Michigan State men's basketball reportedly has its opponent for the opening game of the 2023-24 regular season. [81][82], In 2005, the Spartans again looked to rebound from a disappointing early NCAA tournament exit. [203] Doug Wojcik was the head coach at Tulsa[204] and College of Charleston.[205]. However, Izzo's penchant for tough scheduling hurt his team as they faced a murderer's row of a schedule which included three straight losses to No. PG / 6-0 / 180. 6 Duke, in overtime,[73] to No. The 2022-23 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 2022-23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.The Spartans were led by 28th-year head coach Tom Izzo and played their home games at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan as members of the Big Ten Conference.MSU finished the season 21-13, 11-8 in Big Ten play to finish in fourth . The NCAA trip marked the school's 21st consecutive trip to the Tournament, but following a win in the first round over Bucknell, the Spartans fell to 11th-seeded Syracuse marking the third consecutive year and first time under Izzo that the Spartans had failed to reach the Sweet Sixteen in a three-year period. MSU rebounded as Winston struggled to return to his All-American form and the Spartans did not lose again until Big Ten play after starting the conference schedule 50. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament, their ninth consecutive trip to the Tournament. 2M; . 8 Princeton. A loss in the regular season finale at home to No. 1. Nov 18, Michigan State (3-1) Win vs. Villanova, 73-71, 5. The Spartans have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) five times. Jan 19, Michigan State (13-6) Win vs. Rutgers, 70-57, 20. 25 Spartans in OT", "Michigan State beats Ohio State 7667 in Big Ten tourney", "Wisconsin uses OT shutout to take Big Ten", "Michigan State holds off Georgia 7063 in NCAA East Region", "Michigan State Tops Virginia 6054 For Trip to Sweet 16 Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Spartans down Sooners in East semifinal", "Duke's quest for fifth title rolls on with MSU win", "No. His Bradley team had also made it to the 1950 championship game. A young team would look to graduate transfer Ben Carter and seniors Gavin Schilling and Eron Harris to fill the holes left by departing players. The roster, as it currently sits, has two open scholarships for the coming season. After beating No. [2] 9 Illinois, 6156 Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Spartans Fall To No. We learned Monday that Max Christie will do the same. 14 Wisconsin,[138] and No. Feb 21, Michigan State (17-10) Win vs. Indiana, 80-65, 29. 17 Maryland to advance to the Elite Eight for the fourth time in five years. In 1979, the duo led the Spartans to a second consecutive Big Ten title and the NCAA National Championship. June 29, 2023 10:29 am ET. 24 Wisconsin,[35][36] the Spartans won the remaining 15 games in conference and won the Big Ten conference regular season by six games with a record of 151, their second consecutive Big Ten title. 16-seeded Murray State, needing overtime to advance to the second round. Four-star small forward Gehrig Normand (No. 4 Texas Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "No. Michigan State Players in the NBA - RealGM Since 1976, the Spartans have had only two head basketball coaches, Heathcote and Izzo. 3 in the country. Where does 2023 UConn . 5 Michigan State, 6059 Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "No. [96] The Spartans received an at-large bid as a No. [156] There they fell to No. 5 seed the most times (six). Share Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images The Michigan State men's basketball program has officially signed the No. 8 Maryland, before losing to No. Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, left, sits with Michigan State head football coach Mel Tucker as players warm up before Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Denver . [135] The loss marked only the fourth time MSU failed to win a game in their 14 trips to the NCAA tournament under Tom Izzo. [139] Draymond Green earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors, the fifth time a player had done so under Tom Izzo. He hand-picked his successor, Tom Izzo. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I college basketball. Kohler is the better offensive player, while Cooper is the better defender. And then some wanted a black coach," Heathcote said in 2014. [125][126], In 2010, the Spartans finished the non-conference schedule at 103. 2 Wisconsin", "Spartans Face Wisconsin In Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Michigan State Tops Northwestern, 6257, To Advance To Quarterfinals Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Spartans Top Marquette In First round Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Hansbrough casts aside mask, then Michigan State", "Suton's double-double sparks streaking Spartans", "Michigan St. turns in it up in 2nd half to beat BYU", "Key First-Half Run Powers No. Bridges was named first-team All-Big Ten and second team All-American. Izzo has guided the Spartans to eight NCAA Final Fours since 1999, an accomplishment unmatched by any other college basketball program during that span. Jan 26, Michigan State (14-7) Win vs. Iowa, 63-61, 22. On Monday, the Spartans surged into the Associated Press . Nov 30 (Neutral), Michigan State (4-1) Win vs. Wichita State, 65-57 He remained active in the athletic department after his stint as basketball coach, serving Michigan State for 41 years as assistant athletic director and business manager. [113] Following the conclusion of the regular season, Kalin Lucas was named Big Ten Player of the Year[114] and Tom Izzo was voted Big Ten Coach of the Year. There has already been some roster turnover, however. [176], The 201617 Spartans were decimated by departures from the prior year as seniors Denzel Valentine, Bryn Forbes, and Matt Costello all graduated and moved to the NBA. Michigan State University men's basketball team will soon be known as "MSU Spartans Presented by Rocket Mortgage" after a new five-year sponsorship deal with the Detroit . George Gauthier was the first alumnus to lead a Michigan State basketball squad. Jan 10 @ Wisconsin, Michigan State (12-4) Win vs. Wisconsin, 69-65, 17. 8 Gonzaga led by Adam Morrison in triple overtime in the Maui Classic. [86] The win marked Izzo's first win over Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (as of 2017). After four seasons, California hired Newell as its head coach and MSU had to search for another coach. Key starter Matt McQuaid missed three games with injury and key reserve Kyle Ahrens missed nine games with back and ankle injuries. Record by season under Heathcote:[196][200], See Michigan State Spartans men's basketball seasons. The NCAA championship marked the school's first in basketball. . The Spartans used the College Gymnasium prior to moving to Demonstration Hall for 10 years. The Spartans have appeared in 34 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Sweet Sixteen 20 times, the Elite Eight 14 times, the Final Four 10 times, and the national championship game three times. A roller coaster Big Ten season resulted in MSU finishing 88 with a win against No. Izzo is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[201]. I think it was pretty well proven last year that Sissoko is a role player, not a starter. The Spartans defeated the previously unbeaten Indiana State, led by future Hall of Famer Larry Bird. SG / 6-6 / 195. Augustine, trbk Go Four Picks Apart In NHL Draft - Michigan State Nov 19 @ Purdue-Fort Wayne, Michigan State (2-0) Win vs. Purdue-Fort Wayne, 70-59 3. None were of more interest than the team's four freshmen, making their first appearances in the . Men's Tournament Challenge Michigan State Spartans Stats 2022-23 2022-23 2021-22 2020-21 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 . After Cleaves' return, MSU finished the Big Ten regular season with a 133 conference record and 237 overall while being ranked No. The latest addition to. [143], MSU began the 201213 season 112 and ranked No. The Spartans won the Big Ten tournament and earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The arena's current basketball court is the same floor where the Spartans won the 2000 NCAA tournament, which was at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. 5 seed in the Austin Regional of the NCAA tournament, their eighth straight appearance in the Tournament under Tom Izzo. In the COVID-19-shortened 202021 season, MSU began the season well, beating Duke at the Champions Classic for only the third time under Izzo. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, instead receiving a No. Moving on, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that four-star small forward Coen Carr (No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, their 16th straight appearance in the tournament. [20] As of 2023, this is the last year MSU failed to make the NCAA tournament. After beating Iowa[132] and blowing out No. [3] Michigan State has the sixth most all-time Final Four appearances with 10 (1957, 1979, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2019) and has the winningest basketball team in the Big Ten under Tom Izzo. 2 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA tournament, their 12th straight appearance in the Tournament. Jan 16, Michigan State (12-6) Loss vs. Purdue, 63-64, 19. [103] A loss to No. 4 seed tn the Big Ten tournament, they beat Ohio State before losing to No. Forrest "Forddy" Anderson was hired away from Bradley following a trip to the 1954 Final Four with the Braves. MSU returned to postseason play in 1983, finishing with a 1713 record and receiving an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament. 1 before record crowd", "Spartans Fall At No. However, inconsistency haunted the Spartans[178] as their failure to win road games left the Spartans at 85 in conference play with a visit to conference leaders, Purdue. The program is also ninth all-time in NCAA tournament winning percentage (.673, through 2022). 6 Wisconsin for the tournament title. 11 in the country. [90][91], The 200506 Spartans opened the season with a loss to Hawaii[92] before losing to No. Meanwhile, Fears comes in with a lot of hype. Due in part to Langford's injury, the Spartans struggled in the non-conference schedule, losing the first game of the season to No. [158], In 2015, MSU started the season well, but with a shocking loss to Texas Southern at home in overtime, finished the non-conference season at 94 [159] MSU rallied late in the Big Ten season, winning six of their last eight conference games. [155] They defeated No. His team still holds the record for largest margin of victory with a 1023 defeat of Alma College in 1902. On March 11, 2021, Michigan State announced that the men's basketball team would be known as "MSU Spartans Presented by Rocket Mortgage. MSU, however, did the unthinkable: five of their last seven games including wins over No. Four games later, their odds had not improved as they sat at 49 in conference and 109 overall with seven games remaining. [25] Izzo's team received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as a No. [59] However, they were unable to repeat as national champions, losing to Arizona in the National Semifinal. [230], The arena underwent a $50 million renovation to improve the visitor experience and to create a Michigan State University Basketball Hall of History. Mar 4, Michigan State (19-11) Win vs. Ohio State, 84-78, 32. Men's Tournament Challenge Michigan State Spartans Schedule 2022-23 2023-24 2022-23 2021-22 2020-21 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 . In 2022-23, Holloman got his feet wet playing 8.6 minutes per game. As a No. Cassius Winston finished his MSU career with the most assists in Big Ten history and was a consensus second team All-American for the second consecutive year. The Spartans went on to win the third annual Big Ten tournament as the No. Freshman Jaren Jackson Jr. set the single-season MSU record for blocks and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Lost East Regional Semifinal (98-93) versus #3 Kansas State, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, July 3, 1:36AM. Dec 21, Michigan State (8-4) Win vs. Oakland, 67-54, 13. Visit ESPN to view the latest Michigan State Spartans news, scores, stats, standings, rumors, and more . [47][48] MSU continued their national championship push by reaching their second consecutive Final Four with wins over Syracuse[49][50] and Iowa State. Max Christie. Tom Crean, the former head coach at Georgia, was head coach at Indiana and Marquette for nine years each. The Spartans finished in a tie for sixth place in the conference with a record of 1611 overall and 99 in conference. Jan 7, Michigan State (11-4) Win vs. Michigan, 59-53, 16. In January, MSU entered the AP and Coaches rankings for the first time since the end of the 199495 season. Bridges missed seven games with a knee injury near the end of the non-conference slate and the Spartans, who started the season ranked as high as 10 in some polls, entered Big Ten play with an 85 record. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament due to their low strength of schedule. He would also serve as head coach for the next two seasons. However, the Spartans were inconsistent in conference play, suffering nine losses and finishing 99 in conference and in danger of missing the NCAA tournament. Full Michigan State Spartans roster and player information for the 2022-23 season including position, height, and weight for each member of the team. [65], Following the disappointment of an early NCAA tournament exit, the first time Izzo's squads had not won at least one game in the NCAA tournament, the 200203 team played another tough non-conference schedule. Along with sophomore Antonio Smith, the three made up three-fourths of Izzo's "Flintstones" who would win the national championship in 2000 (without Smith). [2] The 1979 National Championship team was coached by Jud Heathcote and included tournament MVP Magic Johnson, Greg Kelser, and Jay Vincent. 1978-79 Michigan State Spartans Men's Roster and Stats. Jan 3, Michigan State (10-4) Win vs. Nebraska, 74-56, 15. [25] Mateen Cleaves was named Big Ten Player of the Year. 1 seed, three times as a No. MSU defeated Valparaiso[146] and Memphis to advance to their fifth Sweet Sixteen in six years and their 11th trip in 16 years. 1 seed Duke", "Matchup Finder | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com", "Men's Basketball Makes Fourth Trip To Final Four In Last Seven Years Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Michigan St. outlasts Kentucky in double-OT thriller", "Michigan State Falls To North Carolina In Final Four Matchup Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Oh Roy! The 2020 team started the season ranked No. The official 2021-22 Men's Basketball schedule for the Michigan State University Spartans. 2 Kentucky before losing twice more in their first eight games and falling to 53. They won the National Championship as a No. 2-seeded and No. 2022-23 Men's Basketball Roster - Michigan State University Athletics Heathcote was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1978 and 1986. The building was the home of the Spartans from 1940 to 1989 when the Breslin Center opened. 14 Notre Dame, the first win over a ranked opponent in school history. Their combined record is 6933.[212]. More 2022-23 Michigan State (Men's) Pages, Height of bar is margin of victory Mouseover bar for details Click for box score Grouped by Month, 1. Lyman Frimodig coached the final seven games of the season, going 61. Who has committed to Michigan State's Women's Basketball Team? - The However, shortly before the season, it was announced that Josh Langford had reinjured the foot that had caused him to miss most of the prior season. [157] Shortly after the season, Gary Harris declared for the NBA draft. [51][52] MSU won every game by double digits despite playing the best possible seed in each round. Izzo coached the Spartans to their second national championship in 2000 with an 8976 victory over Florida. The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Michigan State University. As the No. Check out the detailed 2022-23 Michigan State Spartans Roster and Stats for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. 1 Illinois[83] and finished second in conference to Illinois. [124] With Izzo 10 in championship games and the Spartans 20 all-time, North Carolina scored more points than any team had ever scored in the first half of an NCAA championship game, scoring 55 and blowing out the Spartans 8972, marking the Spartans first ever loss in the national championship game. Izzo has never had a losing season at MSU and has also appeared in a postseason tournament every year he has headed the MSU basketball program: two years in the NIT and 25 straight appearances in the NCAA tournament. Everyone knows about Xavier Booker, the five-star hype machine who ranks No. [225] During the 201617 season, the Spartans frequently wore the MAC throwback uniforms at home.[226]. 2019-20 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team Nov 20, Michigan State (2-2) Win vs. Florida Gulf Coast, 78-77 5. But, for the second time in three years, the Spartans were knocked out in the first round, this time by Nevada. 2 in the country and earned a share of the Big Ten title, their third consecutive Big Ten championship. Michigan State 2021 Basketball Commits - 247Sports Jan 29 @ Purdue, Michigan State (14-8) Loss vs. Purdue, 61-77, 23. [153] This marked Michigan State's fourth tournament championship. In the Tournament, they lost to eventual Final Four Cinderella, George Mason, in the first round. Led by Shawn Respert, they beat Seton Hall in the first round[17] before losing to second-seeded Duke in the second round. 10. 3 seed LSU to face top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight. 1 Kentucky in the Champions Classic, the Spartans moved to the No. 10 Utah in double overtime. Jan 16 Final L Men's Basketball vs #3 Purdue Loss: 63 - 64 Box Score Recap Men's Basketball at Illinois Loss: 66 - 75 Box Score Recap Men's Basketball at #18 Wisconsin vs Men's Basketball at Nebraska Win: 80 - 67 Box Score Men's Basketball Iowa Box Score Recap Feb 21 Final W Men's Basketball vs #17 Indiana Jan 13 @ Illinois, Michigan State (12-5) Loss vs. Illinois, 66-75, 18. MAC's second basketball coach was George Denman. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. The Spartans won their first seven conference games, but due to injuries to Keith Appling, Adriean Payne, and Brendan Dawson, MSU lost five of their last eight conference games to finish in a second-place tie with Wisconsin at 126. 5 Texas in the Regional Final. The building is still in use on campus today. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? All 11 healthy scholarship Michigan State players participated in Thursday's three-game docket. . Following the loss, they won five straight before losing to defending national champion Baylor. Join our linker program. Class of 2023. [207] The announcement and clarification were discussed on national sports programs and commentaries were published on news and sports sites. Jeremy Fears. Augustine and trbk are the 78 players from Michigan State to be taken in the NHL draft. Michigan State has won 16 Big Ten regular-season championships, the sixth-most in Big Ten history. The 26-year old is currently playing for the . 19 Spartans Edged by No. He was pretty darn good defensively, though struggled with fouls a bit. [87] A double overtime victory over Kentucky[88][89] sent the Spartans to their fourth Final Four in seven seasons. 21 Wisconsin, 7764 Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Spartans Advance Past Northwestern, 6855 Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Spartans Edged Out By Wisconsin, 6866 Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Spartans Fall To Nevada In NCAA First round Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "2004 Nevada vs. Michigan State Round of 64", "Spartans Fall to Top-Ranked Illini Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Michigan State Edged By Iowa, 7169 Michigan State Official Athletic Site", "Spartans avoid repeating '04 ouster, top ODU", "Michigan State takes down No. Feb 7, Michigan State (15-9) Win vs. Maryland, 63-58, 25. [161] The Spartans received an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament as a No. The 201011 Spartans. A plaque was installed on the baseline near the Michigan State tunnel to commemorate the floor's role in the school's history. 1. 1 seed in the West Region of the NCAA tournament, where they beat LIUBrooklyn in the first round behind Green's triple-double. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 10 Utah Works Overtime on Its Image: West: Utes get 29 points from Grant to beat Michigan State, 8584, in two extra periods and advance to play Nevada Las Vegas", "N.C.A.A. 1 seed to lose in the Tournament, falling to No. One of his biggest wins was a 1952 defeat of No. In response, MSU welcomed their most-heralded recruiting class ever as four top-50 ranked players entered the program: Miles Bridges, Joshua Langford, Cassius Winston, and Nick Ward. The Spartans finished the season at .500 (1616, 99) and in a tie for seventh place in the Big Ten. PDF 2023 24 Men's Tennis Record Book (PDF) - Michigan State University Michigan State only has losing records against three Big Ten teams. They lost to No. There's a lot to be excited about with Fears, who looks like the point guard of the future at MSU. The season was dominated by injuries to the Spartans. 1 seed, in the South Region of the NCAA tournament. He is third in career victories with 231. 14 Oklahoma at the Palace of Auburn Hills,[74] and to No. The season marked the last time MSU did not finish with a winning record. MSU routed the Big Ten, winning their first five conference games, their best start in conference since 1978. PS/G: 70.9 (193rd of 363) Offensively, Holloman has some work to do after shooting 38.6% from the floor and 23.1% from 3-point range. Previous Season Next Season Record: 26-6 (13-5, 1st in Big Ten MBB) Rank: 3rd in the Final AP Poll. 1 spot in the country. 10 Florida to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the fifth time in six years. In 19992000. let by senior Kalin Lucas, finished the non-conference portion of their season 84 and ranked No. Two years after taking over the Spartans, in 1957, he led MSU to its first Big Ten Championship. View Comments. 7 seed in the South Region. [102] The Spartans received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament for the 10th consecutive year and beat Marquette, coached by former Izzo assistant Tom Crean, in the first round of the Tournament. Jud Heathcote was hired to take over as coach in 1976 from Montana by athletic director Joseph Kearney in May 1976, after coaching the Grizzlies for five years. Their two National Championships came in the 1979 NCAA tournament and the 2000 NCAA tournament. After making his debut earlier this year, Jones has officially gotten his first cap in world competition in the red, white and blue. 2 seed in 1979 and as a No. 13 in the country. Current Izzo assistant coach Mike Garland spent three seasons as head coach at Cleveland State following an initial seven-year stint as an assistant at MSU. The Spartans then lost six of their next 10 games to all but assure they would be unable to win their third straight Big Ten regular season championship. 4-seeded Louisville. Nov 30 @ Notre Dame, Michigan State (5-3) Loss vs. Notre Dame, 52-70, 9. The Spartans were led by 25th-year head coach Tom Izzo and play their home games at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan as members of the Big Ten Conference . 1 seed, in the Midwest Region of the NCAA tournament. Since 1995, the team has been coached by Tom Izzo, who has an overall record of 628241 as the head coach at Michigan State. Peterson was named Big Ten Player of the Year, the third consecutive year a Spartan had received the award. Jud Heathcote won three Big Ten titles in his 19 years at MSU. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament likely vanished as they were defeated by Ohio State, 8270. Michigan State 55-56 Illinois (Jan 25, 2022) Final Score - ESPN However, the season ended abruptly when all postseason tournaments, including the NCAA tournament, were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [129] However, Kalin Lucas suffered a serious knee injury and would miss the remainder of the Tournament. [115] As the No. Until we hear otherwise, I'm operating under the assumption that both Tyson Walker and Malik Hall will return for fifth years in 2023-24. 2022-23 Michigan State Spartans Men's Roster and Stats Division regular season champion The arena is commonly referred to as "Breslin" and "the Bres", and was opened in 1989. [231][232], For the entire season-by-season results, see, 202324 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, National Association of Basketball Coaches, National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Michigan State Spartans men's basketball seasons, NCAA Division I men's basketball tournaments, List of NCAA men's basketball retired numbers, "NCAAB College Basketball 2018 Bracket Tournament", "Spartans extend NCAA tournament streak, to play Miami (Fla.) in Tulsa", Another legacy at Newell Many coaches with links to Heathcote, "Gus Ganakas, former MSU basketball coach, dies at age 92", "Former Michigan State basketball coach Jud Heathcote dies at age 90", "Michigan State Edges Murray State in Overtime", "NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: Popeye Can't Finish Off Michigan State", "NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: SOUTHEAST REGIONALS: Georgia Tech Beats Clock (? Nov 18, Michigan State (3-1) Win vs. Tennessee Tech, 101-33 5. [18] The game marked the final game of All-American Shawn Respert's career at MSU. [150] The Spartans cruised through the remaining non-conference schedule, finishing 111, to begin the Big Ten season ranked No. Install the latest free Adobe Acrobat Reader and use the download link below. MSU again earned a share the Big Ten title, their fourth consecutive, with a 133 conference record. Their average seed in the NCAA tournament is a 4.8. 1 seed, their second consecutive No. A solid non-conference start left them at 92 and were ranked No. 23 Indiana marking the first time since 1997 that Michigan State did not win either the Big Ten regular season or tournament title. The bid was MSU's 18th straight trip to the NCAA tournament. So that combination, in my mind, I knew he was going to be a good coach."[9]. The student section had been named Spartan Spirits and Jud's Jungle prior to Izzo's prominence at the school. [60][61] Following the season, Randolph and Richardson each left school early and declared for the NBA draft. The 1979 National Championship Game was the most watched college basketball game in history, with 35.11 million television viewers. The school purchased the floor from the NCAA and Final Four floor installer Horner Flooring after the title game. Find out more. Michigan . He died in 2019.[8]. 0, forward/center, freshman, 6-foot-9, 240 pounds Pierre Brooks, No. 3-seeded Kansas.