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Rumor has it that during the month of March, Tom Izzo dresses in a phone booth before each game. Okay, I made that claim with no objective accuracy, but there must be something that turns the Michigan State Spartans superhuman as soon as the NCAA tournament tips off.
Maybe the Superman analogy is also over the top, if not possibly inaccurate. Superman had a weakness, and during the first two weekends of March Madness, it’s difficult to find coach Izzo’s kryptonite. Also, MSU isn’t always impressive in every game of seemingly-annual tourney runs, but you can always count on the Spartans to be resilient.
Whether playing the lower-seeded Georgia Bulldogs or the higher-seeded Virginia Cavaliers, the Spartans bring even the most pleasant of opponents down into the ugly. Friday was no different as Georgia appeared inept at best and at all other times disheveled. Down in the paint the Bulldogs often emerged empty, and if Georgia could earn a second-chance opportunity, the Bulldogs frequently buckled beneath the rim. Even through keeping it close, Michigan State kept Georgia from finding any semblance of comfort or rhythm.
The Spartans’ 70-63 victory was Spartan in its own right. Michigan State remained stoic even if the scoreboard appeared erratic. This Spartans team is small, yet refused to acquiesce to Georgia bullying the inside. Izzo’s MSU will never be hampered by any weakness of heart. The equation is always balanced by hustle, a dedication to rebounding and a bench that’s just as determined as the Spartans’ senior starters.
These sleeper Spartans now ride the dark horse, and when you play with such fire, it’s difficult to get burned.
Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Jerry on Twitter at @Jerry2Landry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.
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