Joel Huerto is managing editor of One Man Fastbreak.net and a sports consultant with Opposing Views.com. He has been a member of the sports media for almost 20 years, which included nine years as a news editor at the Los Angeles Times. He will cover a variety of topics, from coach and player profiles to hot-button issues. Joel is also known as "maniLA ice" for his cool demeanor in the friendly confines of the YMCA hardwood. He loves to shoot the "tear drop" and prefers to play zone to hide his deficiencies on defense.
Michigan State's incredible run in the NCAA tournament has not only lifted the spirits of an entire state but it has also secured Tom Izzo's place among the elite coaches in the sport.
Regardless of the outcome of Monday night's championship game at Detroit's Ford Field
between Michigan State and North Carolina, Izzo's Spartans have given Michiganders something to think about other than bailouts and a rising unemployment rate.
"Even if we don't win [the championship], we've made people smile. For one week, we've managed to put a smile back on people's faces," said Magic Johnson, who 30 years ago led Michigan State to the school's first national championship. Johnson has been very visible throughout this year's tournament in support of his alma mater and is a big supporter of Izzo, who is the biggest reason why the Spartans are one victory from bringing home another championship banner to East Lansing. This time, the ride will only be about 90 miles.
While the NBA has become a players' league, college basketball is, and always will be, a coaches' league.
Having a great leader on the bench is paramount toward building a successful program. Kentucky has $31 million reasons why it hired John Calipari and Missouri showed its commitment to winning by signing Mike Anderson to a lucrative seven-year deal. Roy Williams pulled North Carolina out of its dark days under Matt Doherty, and Michigan State would still be stuck watching old tapes of Judd Heathcote's 1979 team if it weren't for Izzo.
Izzo's ability to convince his players that rebounding and playing defense are almost as important as eating and breathing is beyond X's and Os. If Izzo asked one of his players to jump in Lake Michigan, they probably would. The Iron Mountain, Mich., native has "master motivator" written on his calling card and has also proved that he can outwit and outplay any opponent.
In the Midwest Regional final against Louisville, Izzo managed to control the tempo by having his players crash the boards and denying Rick Pitino's Cardinals from running their normal sets. In the national semifinal game against Connecticut, Izzo changed up and picked up the pace and did not allow the Huskies and their 7-foot-3 shot-blocker, Hasheem Thabeet, enough time to set up on defense.
Izzo and his band of no-names will attempt to secure the team's third national championship against arguably the most talented team in the tournament.
The Tar Heels love to run while the Spartans love to send five guys to the boards in search of second-chance points. But Michigan State's penchant for crashing the paint may have to be altered a bit because, if the Spartans don't secure the rebound, it only takes two to three seconds for Ty Lawson to move the ball from one end to the other.
When North Carolina and Michigan State met last December, the Tar Heels ran the Spartans out of the building and won easily, 98-63, so Izzo is well aware of Carolina's ability to destroy a game plan.
"If we play good and they play good, we're losing. That's the way I look at it," Izzo told the Associated Press. "I mean, I don't look at that in the negative. They are the best team in the country and have earned that ranking probably over the last year and a half."
Even though the Tar Heels are favored, Williams has been around too long to dismiss an underdog's ability to soar above expectations.
"I mean, they're not exactly Charlie's Donut Team," Williams said.
The chess match between Coach Williams and Coach Izzo has already begun.
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