2014–15 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team

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2014–15 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
Michigan-State-logo-block-s.svg
NCAA Tournament, Final Four
Conference Big Ten Conference
Ranking
Coaches #7
AP #23
2014–15 record 27–12 (12–6 Big Ten)
Head coach Tom Izzo (20th year)
Associate head coach Dwayne Stephens (12th year)
Assistant coach Mike Garland (8th year)
Assistant coach Dane Fife (4th year)
Home arena Breslin Center
Seasons
« 2013–14 2015–16 »
2014–15 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   PCT     W   L   PCT
#3 Wisconsin † 16 – 2   .889     36 – 4   .900
#12 Maryland 14 – 4   .778     28 – 7   .800
#23 Michigan State 12 – 6   .667     27 – 12   .692
Iowa 12 – 6   .667     22 – 12   .647
Purdue 12 – 6   .667     21 – 13   .618
Ohio State 11 – 7   .611     24 – 11   .686
Indiana 9 – 9   .500     20 – 14   .588
Illinois 9 – 9   .500     19 – 14   .576
Michigan 8 – 10   .444     16 – 16   .500
Minnesota 6 – 12   .333     18 – 15   .545
Northwestern 6 – 12   .333     15 – 17   .469
Nebraska 5 – 13   .278     13 – 18   .419
Penn State 4 – 14   .222     18 – 16   .529
Rutgers 2 – 16   .111     10 – 22   .313
† 2015 Big Ten Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2014–15 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Spartans, led by 20th year head coach Tom Izzo, played their home games at the Breslin Center and were members of the Big Ten Conference. MSU finished in a tie for third place in conference, with a 12–6 record and finished as the runner-up in the Big Ten Tournament. MSU finished the season with a 27–12 record and reached the Final Four. There, the Spartans lost to eventual National Champion, Duke.

Previous season

The Spartans finished the 2013–14 season with an overall record of 29–9 and in second place in the Big Ten with a 12–6 record. Michigan State received a #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, their 17th straight trip to the Tournament, and advanced to the Elite Eight, their 8th trip under Tom Izzo.

The Spartans lost Adreian Payne (16.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG) and Gary Harris (16.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.71 APG) to the NBA Draft and Keith Appling (11.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.5 APG) to graduation (eventually to the NBA) following the season.

Season summary

Michigan State was led by seniors Travis Trice (15.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.1 APG) and Branden Dawson (11.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.7 APG) and junior Denzel Valentine (14.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.3 APG). The Spartans started the season ranked #18 in the country.

The Spartans had two players transfer to the team. Eron Harris transferred from West Virginia.[1] Under NCAA transfer rules, Harris had to redshirt for the 2014–15 season. Bryn Forbes transferred from Cleveland State. The NCAA granted Forbes a waiver due to family hardship that allowed Forbes to play immediately without having sit out a season.[2]

MSU began the season with a trip to play Navy in Annapolis at the Naval Academy. The Spartans survived a scare to win a close game 64–59 .[3] The Spartans then traveled to Indianapolis to participate in the Champions Classic, but were unable to outlast Duke, losing 81–71.[4] MSU won their next 4 games, including wins over Santa Clara, Rider, and Marquette in the Orlando Classic. In the championship game of the Orlando Classic, the Spartans fell to #11 Kansas 61–56.[5] Despite the loss, MSU moved up to #19 in the polls. In the ACC–Big Ten Challenge, MSU could not hold off Notre Dame, losing in overtime 79–78.[6] Wins followed against smaller schools including Oakland and Eastern Michigan before MSU was shocked by Texas Southern at home in overtime.[7] Following the loss, the Spartans went unranked the remainder of the season. They finished the non-conference season at 9–4.

In the Big Ten season, the Spartans were swept by Maryland[8] and suffered bad losses to Nebraska,[9] Illinois,[10] and Minnesota in overtime.[11] However, the Spartans rallied late in the season, winning 6 of their last 8 conference games including a win over #23 Ohio State[12] and wins at Michigan and at Illinois. MSU finished the season in a tie for third place in conference. The Spartans finished the season with an overall record of 21–10, 12–6 in the Big Ten regular season. The Spartans got hot in the Big Ten Tournament beating Ohio State[13] and #8 Maryland.[14] They challenged #6 Wisconsin for the tournament title, eventually losing the Big Ten Tournament Championship in overtime.[15]

The Spartans received an at-lartge bid in the NCAA Tournament after receiving a number 7 seed in the East Region. The bid was MSU 18th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. MSU beat Georgia in the Second Round[16] and surprised #2 seed and #6 ranked Virginia in the Third Round.[17] With the win, the Spartans advanced to their 7th Sweet Sixteen in 8 years.[17] In the Sweet Sixteen, they faced #3 seed and 13th ranked Oklahoma. MSU defeated Oklahoma by 4.[18] Valentine scored 18 and Trice contributed 24.[18] The win sent MSU to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year and their fourth trip since 2009.[18] Louisville awaited the Spartans in the Elite Eight. The Spartans were pushed to overtime, but again came up with the victory, earning a trip to their 7th Final Four under Tom Izzo.[19] Trice was named the Regional's MVP.[19] In the Final Four, the Spartans fell to the eventual National Champions for the second straight season, losing a rematch of their Champions Classic game to Duke in the National Semifinal.[20]

2014 recruiting class

Tom Izzo again went big in recruiting for the 2014 season and again was shunned. Michigan State made offers to Cliff Alexander, Tyus Jones, Jahlil Okafor, and Tyler Ulis, but all went to other schools.[21] As a result, MSU signed only top 100 player, Lourawls Nairn, Jr. Analysts have argued that it is Izzo's unwillingness to cheat that has cost him some of these recruits.[21]

Name Home town High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Lourawls Nairn, Jr.
#14 PG		 Bel Aire, KS Sunrise Christian Academy 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Sep 26, 2013 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Javon Bess
#24 SF		 Gahanna, OH Lincoln High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Oct 21, 2013 
Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Marvin Clark, Jr.
#43 SF		 Blue Springs, MO Sunrise Christian Academy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 219 lb (99 kg) Mar 24, 2014 
Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

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Roster

2014–15 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year High school/previous college Home town
F 0 Marvin Clark, Jr. 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Fr Sunrise Christian Academy Blue Springs, MO
G 2 Javon Bess 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Fr Lincoln H.S. Gahanna, OH
G 3 Alvin Ellis III 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) So De La Salle Chicago, IL
G 5 Bryn Forbes 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jr Sexton H.S.
Cleveland State		 Lansing, MI
F 10 Matt Costello 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Jr Jefferson H.S. Bay City, MI
G 11 Lourawls Nairn, Jr. 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Fr Sunrise Christian Academy Bel Aire, KS
F 13 Trevor Bohnhoff 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Jr Nouvel H.S. Saginaw, MI
G 14 Eron Harris (I) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jr Lawrence North H.S.
West Virginia		 Indianapolis, IN
G 15 Keenan Wetzel 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) RS Sr St. Mary Catholic Central H.S. Monroe, MI
G 20 Travis Trice (C) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Sr Wayne H.S. Huber Heights, OH
G/F 22 Branden Dawson 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Sr Lew Wallace H.S. Gary, IN
F 25 Kenny Goins (W) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Fr Warren Mott H.S. Troy, MI
F 30 Matt Van Dyk (W) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Jr Imlay City Imlay City, MI
F 34 Gavin Schilling 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) So Findlay Prep Chicago, IL
G 41 Colby Wollenman 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) RS Jr Big Horn H.S. Big Horn, WY
G 45 Denzel Valentine (C) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Jr Sexton H.S. Lansing, MI
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster

Schedule and Results

Date
Time, TV		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (Attendance)
City, State
Exhibition
Nov 3, 2014*
7:00 pm		 #18 The Master's College W 97–56 
 24 – Valentine   12 – Valentine   9 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Nov 7, 2014*
8:00 pm		 #18 St. Cloud State W 101–46 
 20 – Trice   11 – Valentine   11 – Valentine  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Non-Conference Regular season
Nov 14, 2014*
9:00 pm, CBSSN		 #18 at Navy
Veterans Classic		 W 64–59  1–0
  25 – Trice   8 – Dawson   6 – Valentine  Alumni Hall (5,699)
Annapolis, MD
Nov 18, 2014*
7:00 pm, ESPN		 #19 vs. #4 Duke
Champions Classic		 L 71–81  1–1
  18 – Dawson   9 – Dawson   8 – Trice  Bankers Life Fieldhouse (19,306)
Indianapolis, IN
Nov 21, 2014*
7:00 pm, BTN		 #19 Loyola–Chicago W 87–52  2–1
  15 – Clark Jr./Dawson   11 – Costello   7 – Nairn Jr./Trice/Valentine  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Nov 24, 2014*
7:00 pm, BTN		 #20 Santa Clara
Orlando Classic Opening Round		 W 79–52  3–1
  19 – Trice   11 – Schilling/Valentine   8 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Nov 27, 2014*
6:30 pm, ESPN2		 #20 vs. Rider
Orlando Classic Quarterfinals		 W 77–45  4–1
  19 – Valentine   9 – Costello   4 – Trice  HP Field House (3,216)
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Nov 28, 2014*
9:00 pm, ESPN2		 #20 vs. Marquette
Orlando Classic Semifinals		 W 79–68  5–1
  25 – Valentine   8 – Dawson   7 – Trice  HP Field House (3,449)
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Nov 30, 2014*
1:00 pm, ESPN		 #20 vs. #11 Kansas
Orlando Classic Championship		 L 56–61  5–2
  14 – Trice/Valentine   9 – Dawson   2 – Trice  HP Field House (4,842)
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Dec 3, 2014*
7:15 pm, ESPN2		 #19 at Notre Dame
ACC–Big Ten Challenge		 L 78–79 OT 5–3
  22 – Valentine   18 – Dawson   5 – Trice  Edmund P. Joyce Center (9,149)
South Bend, IN
Dec 6, 2014*
2:15 pm, BTN		 #19 Arkansas–Pine Bluff W 85–52  6–3
  15 – Costello/Trice   7 – Dawson   8 – Valentine  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Dec 14, 2014*
8:00 pm, ESPNU		 Oakland W 87–61  7–3
  19 – Valentine   6 – Dawson/Schilling   8 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Dec 17, 2014*
9:00 pm, BTN		 #25 Eastern Michigan W 66–46  8–3
  14 – Forbes   9 – Costello   8 – Valentine  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Dec 20, 2014*
5:00 pm, ESPNU		 #25 Texas Southern L 64–71 OT 8–4
  17 – Costello   10 – Costello   3 – Bess/Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Dec 22, 2014*
6:00 pm		 The Citadel W 82–56  9–4
  18 – Valentine   6 – Clark Jr./Valentine   11 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Big Ten Regular Season
Dec 30, 2014
5:00 pm, ESPN2		 #12 Maryland L 66–68 2OT 9–5
(0–1)		  26 – Trice   11 – Dawson   6 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Jan 5, 2015
7:00 pm, BTN		 Indiana W 70–50  10–5
(1–1)		  15 – Valentine   13 – Dawson   7 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Jan 8, 2015
7:00 pm, ESPN		 at Iowa W 75–61  11–5
(2–1)		  25 – Trice   15 – Dawson   6 – Valentine  Carver–Hawkeye Arena (15,054)
Iowa City, IA
Jan 11, 2015
12:00 pm, BTN		 Northwestern W 84–77 OT 12–5
(3–1)		  18 – Trice   9 – Dawson   10 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Jan 17, 2015
4:00 pm, CBS		 at #14 Maryland L 59–75  12–6
(3–2)		  14 – Dawson   10 – Dawson   5 – Valentine  Xfinity Center (17,950)
College Park, MD
Jan 21, 2015
7:00 pm, BTN		 Penn State W 66–60  13–6
(4–2)		  11 – Schilling/Valentine   10 – Dawson/Schilling   4 – Valentine  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Jan 24, 2015
4:00 pm, ESPN		 at Nebraska L 77–79  13–7
(4–3)		  27 – Trice   18 – Dawson   3 – Trice/Valentine  Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,757)
Lincoln, NE
Jan 29, 2015
6:00 pm, BTN		 at Rutgers W 71–51  14–7
(5–3)		  18 – Forbes   11 – Dawson   5 – Trice  Louis Brown Athletic Center (6,088)
Piscataway, NJ
Feb 1, 2015
1:00 pm, CBS		 Michigan
Rivalry		 W 76–66 OT 15–7
(6–3)		  25 – Valentine   10 – Dawson   9 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Feb 7, 2015
12:00 pm, ESPN		 Illinois L 54–59  15–8
(6–4)		  16 – Valentine   7 – Costello/Valentine   4 – Valentine  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Feb 10, 2015
7:00 pm, BTN		 at Northwestern W 68–44  16–8
(7–4)		  16 – Trice   10 – Dawson   8 – Valentine  Welsh-Ryan Arena (7,265)
Evanston, IL
Feb 14, 2015
12:00 pm, ESPN		 #23 Ohio State W 59–56  17–8
(8–4)		  17 – Valentine   11 – Dawson   5 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Feb 17, 2015
9:00 pm, ESPN		 at Michigan
Rivalry		 W 80–67  18–8
(9–4)		  23 – Dawson   13 – Dawson   7 – Trice  Crisler Center (12,502)
Ann Arbor, MI
Feb 22, 2015
7:30 pm, BTN		 at Illinois W 60–53  19–8
(10–4)		  20 – Valentine   9 – Valentine   4 – Trice  State Farm Center (16,108)
Champaign, IL
Feb 26, 2015
7:00 pm, BTN		 Minnesota L 90–96 OT 19–9
(10–5)		  27 – Valentine   8 – Dawson   10 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Mar 1, 2015
4:00 pm, CBS		 at #5 Wisconsin L 61–68  19–10
(10–6)		  21 – Forbes   6 – Schilling   6 – Valentine  Kohl Center (17,279)
Madison, WI
Mar 4, 2015
8:00 pm, BTN		 Purdue W 72–66  20–10
(11–6)		  27 – Trice   7 – Costello   6 – Trice  Breslin Center (14,797, 2015)
East Lansing, MI
Mar 7, 2015
Noon, ESPN		 at Indiana W 74–72  21–10
(12–6)		  21 – Trice   8 – Costello   7 – Valentine  Assembly Hall (17,472)
Bloomington, IN
Big Ten Tournament
Mar 13, 2015
9:00 pm, BTN		 (3) vs. (6) Ohio State
Quarterfinals		 W 76–67  22–10
  23 – Valentine   8 – Dawson/Valentine   7 – Dawson/Valentine  United Center (17,230)
Chicago, IL
Mar 14, 2015
4:00 pm, CBS		 (3) vs. (2) #8 Maryland
Semifinals		 W 62–58  23–10
  20 – Trice   8 – Dawson   7 – Valentine  United Center (18,088)
Chicago, IL
Mar 15, 2015
3:30 pm, CBS		 (3) vs. (1) #6 Wisconsin
Championship		 L 69–80 OT 23–11
  16 – Dawson/Valentine   8 – Valentine   6 – Valentine  United Center (17,123)
Chicago, IL
NCAA Tournament
Mar 20, 2015*
12:40 pm, truTV		 (7 E) #23 vs. (10 E) Georgia
Second round		 W 70–63  24–11
  16 – Valentine   7 – Costello   6 – Trice/Valentine  Time Warner Cable Arena (16,551)
Charlotte, NC
Mar 22, 2015*
12:10 pm, CBS		 (7 E) #23 vs. (2 E) #6 Virginia
Third round		 W 60–54  25–11
  23 – Trice   9 – Dawson   4 – Valentine  Time Warner Cable Arena (18,482)
Charlotte, NC
Mar 27, 2015*
10:16 pm, TBS		 (7 E) #23 vs. (3 E) #13 Oklahoma
Sweet Sixteen		 W 62–58  26–11
  24 – Trice   11 – Dawson   2 – Dawson/Trice/Valentine  Carrier Dome (24,453)
Syracuse, NY
Mar 29, 2015*
2:20 pm, CBS		 (7 E) #23 vs. (4 E) #17 Louisville
Elite Eight		 W 76–70 OT 27–11
  17 – Trice   11 – Dawson   6 – Valentine  Carrier Dome (24,404)
Syracuse, NY
Apr 4, 2015*
6:09 pm, TBS		 (7 E) #23 vs. (1 S) #4 Duke
Final Four		 L 61–81  27–12
  22 – Valentine   11 – Valentine   5 – Nairn Jr./Valentine  Lucas Oil Stadium (72,238)
Indianapolis, IN
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time

Source[22][23].

Rankings

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See also: 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings
Ranking movement
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. (RV) Received votes but unranked. (NR) Not ranked.
Poll Pre Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Wk 15 Wk 16 Wk 17 Wk 18 Wk 19 Final
AP[24] 18 19 20 19 RV 25 NR NR NR RV RV NR RV NR RV RV NR RV 23 N/A
Coaches[24] 18 19 19 18 23 22 RV NR NR RV RV NR RV NR RV 25 RV RV 22 7

Awards and honors

  • Branden Dawson - All Big Ten Second Team[25]
  • Denzel Valentine - All Big Ten Third Team[25]
  • Travis Trice - All Big Ten Third Team[25]
  • Branden Dawson - Big Ten All-Defensive Team[25]
  • Branden Dawson - NABCA All-District Second Team[26]
  • Branden Dawson - USBWA All-District Team[27]
  • Denzel Valentine - USBWA All-District Team[27]

References

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  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/michigan-state/2015-schedule.html
  23. ↑ http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/msu-m-baskbl-sched-2014.html
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/year/2015/week/4/seasontype/3
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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