Dec. 15, 1997

MSU Men's Cagers Play Host To Wright State

Game No. 8 -- vs. Wright State
Wed. Dec. 17 7:30 pm
Breslin Center, Michigan State University

                                                
Michigan State Probable Starters (4-3 overall) -- subject to change
F -- #13    ANTONIO SMITH (Jr., 6-8, 9.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg)
F -- #44    JASON KLEIN (Jr., 6-7, 9.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
F -- #34    ANDRE HUTSON (Fr., 6-8, 7.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
G -- #14    CHARLIE BELL (Fr., 6-3, 9.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
G -- #12    MATEEN CLEAVES (So., 6-2, 14.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 7.0 apg)
        
Wright State Probable Starters (4-4 overall)
F -- #21    KEION BROOKS (Jr., 6-3, 18.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
F -- #40    MARVIN RODGERS (So., 6-9, 14.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
C -- #43    THAD BURTON (Sr., 6-8, 11.4 ppg, 11.6 rpg)
G -- # 5    TONY BAULTRIPPE (Jr., 6-3, 6.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg)
G -- #32    BRANDON PARDON (Fr., 6-1, 7.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg) 

Game Information
The Michigan State men's basketball team continues the non-conference portion of the schedule on Wednesday (Dec. 17) when it plays host to the Raiders of Wright State. The Jack Breslin Student Events Center (15,138) serves as the site of the first-ever meeting between the Spartans and WSU and tipoff is slated for 7:35 p.m. (EST).

Coverage
All MSU basketball games can be heard on WJIM Radio (1240 AM/97.5 FM). Describing the play-by-play is Mark Champion while former Spartan head coach, Gus Ganakas, serves as analyst.

The Records
MSU takes an overall record of 4-3 into the Wright State game. In their most recent outing, the Spartans dropped a 68-65 home decision to intrastate rival Detroit on Saturday (Dec. 13). In that game, MSU faced a 12-point deficit (35-47) with 15:21 remaining, but a 25-9 run over a 10:30 span enabled it to claim a 60-56 advantage with 4:47 left. However, the Green and White couldn't sustain the rally as it fell victim to untimely turnovers and lapses in execution. Sophomore guard Mateen Cleaves led the scoring attack with a career-high 21 points while junior Antonio Smith came up with his second double double of the season with 13 points and 10 boards. In games played at the Breslin Center this season, MSU is 3-2, 1-1 in road contests.

Wright State invades the Breslin Center with an overall slate of 4-4. The Raiders have come out on the short end of four of their last five contests including a 94-63 decision at Dayton on Saturday.

The Series
Wednesday's contest between Michigan State and Wright State will mark the first time the teams have met in basketball.

The Coaches
Michigan State is guided by head coach Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan '77), who is in his third season at the helm of the program. Izzo has a school and career record of 37-31. In games at the Breslin Center, Izzo has posted a record of 26-11, 11-20 on the road. Izzo has directed the Green and White to appearances in the NIT in each of his first two years.

Wright State Head Coach Ed Schilling (Eastern Michigan '72) is in his first season leading the Raiders. Prior to his current post, he served as an assistant John Calipari with the New Jersey Nets during the 1996-97 season. In 1995-96, Schilling was an assistant on Calipari's staff at Massachusetts when that team compiled a 35-2 record which included a spot in the NCAA Tournament's Final Four.

Tom Izzo Radio Show Info
The Tom Izzo radio show can be heard throughout the state of Michigan on MSU basketball radio affiliates. The show will be held at Tripper's Sports Lounge on Mondays from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Spartans Among Big Ten Leaders In Board Play
When Detroit outrebounded Michigan State by a 37-33 margin last Saturday, it marked just the second time in seven games that an opponent had enjoyed an edge in the rebounding department against Michigan State. Entering the Wright State contest, the Spartans hold a 41.7-29.3 per-game edge in rebounding and hold down the No. 3 spot in the league in rebounding margin. MSU has held an advantage of 10 or more rebounds in four contests this year and have 50 or more rebounds in a pair of contests. Since Tom Izzo has been head coach, the Spartans have outrebounded 53 of 68 opponents and hold a 33-20 record when enjoying an edge on the glass.

Taking Care of the Roundball Is Key
In the Detroit game, MSU turned the ball over 17 times compared to the Titans' total of 16, the sixth straight game that the Spartans have had more turnovers than the opposition. While MSU is 3-3 this year when turning the ball over, the Green and White stand 1-0 in '97-98 when it has fewer turnovers and 10-1 since last year. Through seven games, MSU is averaging 18.1 turnovers per contest (17.1 for the opposition), 9.7 in the first half and 8.4 in the second half.

MSU And The Breslin Center
MSU's loss to Detroit on Dec. 13 dropped its all-time record at the Breslin Center to 100-26 (.794) since the facility opened in 1989 (47-7 vs. non-conference opponents, 53-19 in Big Ten contests). MSU has shot 50 percent or better from the floor in 70 games at the Breslin Center while allowing the opposition to reach that mark on just 17 occasions.

Quick Facts
After seven games, MSU is shooting 42.7 percent (88-of-206) from the floor in the first half and 49.5 percent (106-of-214) in the second half ... Opponents are shooting 38.3 percent (69-of-180) from the field in the first half and 43.1 percent (85-of-197) over the final 20 minutes of action ... The Spartans have been outshot from the foul line in five games and are connecting at just a 54.2 percent (77-of-142) vs. the opposition's effort of 68.9 percent (91-of-132) ... MSU is averaging 32.4 points in the first half of play (27.6 for opponents) and 39.4 points in the second half (34.7 for opponents) ... The Spartans have enjoyed a second half scoring advantage in their last three and in a total of five contests this year ... At the start of the week, the Spartans are No. 2 among Big Ten in scoring defense (56.3 ppg).

Thomas Doubtful For Wright State Game
Sophomore David Thomas (7.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against Wright State because of a sprained knee ligament suffered late in the Detroit game.

Morsels For Musing
MSU has won 13 of its last 14 games when holding the opposition to 60 or fewer points (2-1 in 1997-98) ... During Izzo's stint as head coach, the Spartans post a 24-4 mark in such games ... Since last season, the Spartans are 9-1 when scoring 80-plus points (3-0 in 1997-98) ... Antonio Smith claims nine career double-doubles ... Under Izzo, MSU is 33-6 when leading at halftime (4-0 this year) ... MSU is allowing 62.3 points per game after seven outings vs. last season's average of 64.7 ... Dating from last season, the Spartans have failed to shoot 70 percent or better from the foul line in the last 13 contests ... MSU has forced the opposition into 20 or more turnovers on three occasions this year ... The Spartans have outscored the opposition in nine out of 14 halves of basketball ... MSU has given up 50 percent or better from the floor in three halves of action while reaching that mark on seven occasions ... MSU has attempted more free throws than its opponents in five contests ... Since Izzo has taken over as head coach, MSU is 29-4 in games when it has outshot the opposition from the field ... The Spartans have held their opponents to less than 10 field goals in a half on two occasions this year ... After seven outings, MSU is averaging 17.1 offensive rebounds vs. the opposition's average of 9.9.

MSU Player Notes

# 11-- Sophomore David Thomas has started all seven games ... Held scoreless for the first time this season in the Detroit (12/13) game (22 minutes) ... Tallied a career-high 12 points vs. Cleveland State (12/6) and his five field goals tied his career high ... Shot 50 percent or better from the floor in five games ... Shooting 54.3 percent from the floor (25-of-46) ... Played a career-high 33 minutes in the Temple contest ... Coca-Cola Classic All-Tournament after totaling 18 points and 20 boards ... First career double-double came against Gonzaga with 10 points and 10 boards (board total tying career high) ... Came up with 10 boards against Central Michigan (11/28), tying him with Antonio Smith for game honors ... 10 points vs. Illinois-Chicago, hitting a career-best five-of-six field goal attempts ... No. 2 on the team in rebounding (7.0 rpg).

#12 -- Sophomore Mateen Cleaves leads the team in minutes (33.7 mpg), scoring (14.7 ppg) and assists (7.0 apg) ... Leads the Big Ten in assists ... Has scored in double figures his last six games (15.8/avg.) including a career-best 21 points vs. Detroit (12/13) ... Game-high 17-point effort vs. Cleveland State (12/6) ... Has led or shared for the team's scoring lead in the last three and in a total of five contests ... No. 2 on squad in treys with 14 ... Coca Cola Classic MVP after scoring 29 points and doling out 19 assists against Central Michigan and Gonzaga ... Career high 11 assists against Gonzaga was the first time a Spartan had more than 10 assists in a game since Eric Snow's 11 vs. Wisconsin (3/11/95) ... Notched game-high 19 points and doled out eight assists vs. CMU .. Has two or more treys in five of last six contests ... Team-highs in points (17) and assists (5) vs. Illinois-Chicago (11/21) ... Registered team-high seven assists vs. East Tennessee (11/17) ... Has 195 assists in 36 career contests (5.4 apg) ... Has led or shared for MSU's lead in assists in 31 of 36 career outings ... Scored in double figures in 22 outings during his career (16 in '96-97).

#13 -- Junior Antonio Smith paces the team in rebounding (8.3 rpg) ... Recorded his second double-double of the year and ninth of his career with a season-high 13 points along with 10 boards (team high) vs. Detroit (12/13) ... Shooting 63.1 percent (12 of 19) from the floor in the last two contests ... Has three games of double-figure scoring this season ... Hit six field goals and totaled 12 points at Cleveland State (12/6) ... Has led or shared for MSU rebounding honors in four games including a 10-board performance vs. CMU ... No. 2 on the club in minutes (30.3 mpg) ... Has three double-digit rebounding outings this season ... Notched first double-double of the year vs. ETSU (11/17) with 11 points and 10 boards ... 22 career contests of 10 or more boards and five of 15-plus caroms ... Third-Team All-Big Ten pick last year.

#14 -- Freshman Charlie Bell is No. 3 on the team in scoring (9.7 ppg) ... Registered a season-long 33 minutes vs. Detroit (12/13) and finished with nine points ... Shooting 47 percent (8 of 17) from the floor in the last two games ... Has at least one trey in his last three contests ... 29 minutes and registered his third double-figure scoring effort of the season with a 13-point performance against Cleveland State (12/6) ... Also paced the squad in rebounding vs. CSU with nine caroms, the first time a Spartan guard had led MSU in boards since Eric Snow grabbed six vs. Weber State in the 1995 NCAA Tournament ... No. 2 on the squad in scoring against CMU (11/28) with a career-best 17 points ... Paced the team in scoring vs. ETSU (11/17) with 15 points while also chipping in seven boards and two assists ... His point total marked the first time that a true frosh had led MSU in scoring in a season opener since Jay Vincent's 25 points vs. Central Michigan (11/28/77).

#30 -- Freshman Doug Davis has played a total of 45 minutes as a reserve in five games ... Saw a five-minute stint vs. Detroit where he scored two points ... Played 10 minutes (second-longest stint of the season) and scored two points vs. Cleveland State (12/6) ... Hit a trey en route to three points in nine minutes vs. Central Michigan ... 13 minutes off the bench vs. ETSU (11/17) and scored eight points while dishing out three assists.

#34 -- Freshman Andre Hutson is averaging 22.6 minutes per game ... Is the team's No. 2 shooter from the floor, hitting 61.1% (22 of 36) of his attempts ... Shooting 62.9 percent (17 of 27) from the floor in the last four games and is averaging 10.0 points in that stretch ... Grabbed seven boards in 26 minutes vs. Detroit (12/13) ... Averaging 7.7 rebounds in the last three contests ... Hit six-of-nine from the field and finished with 13 points (tying season high) at Cleveland State (12/6) ... Has shot 50 percent or better from the field in five contests ... Five-of-seven from the floor, finishing with 11 points, and snared a game-high nine boards in a season-long 30 minutes vs. Temple (12/4) ... No. 3 on the team in rebounding (5.9 rpg) ... Strong effort in the Coca-Cola Classic where he started both games and shot 69.2 percent from the floor - averaging 11 points ... Tallied a team-high 13 points in the championship game vs. Gonzaga in 28 minutes ... Made first career start against CMU, playing 21 minutes and registering nine points and five boards ... No. 2 on the club in blocked shots with 10 ... 16 minutes off the bench vs. ETSU (11/17) and grabbed six boards, tops among the reserves ... Blocked three ETSU shot attempts.

#42 -- Sophomore Morris Peterson is averaging 5.8 points and 3.3 boards in four games ... Missed the Temple, Cleveland State, and Detroit games with a fractured bone in his right wrist (suffered in Gonzaga game) ... Hit five of-seven field goal attempts en route to a season-high 10 points against Gonzaga (11/29) ... Posted four rebounds and six points in 16 minutes vs. Illinois-Chicago ... Played 14 minutes vs. ETSU (11/17), scoring five points ... Played in 29 games last season, 18 as a starter ... Has scored in double figures on six occasions in his career, five of which came last year ... Five of his double-figure scoring efforts have come at home.

#43 -- Sophomore A.J. Granger has come off the bench in MSU's first seven games and is averaging 12.0 minutes ... Averaging 2.6 rebounds ... Played 16 minutes (second-longest stint of year) vs. Cleveland State (12/6) and grabbed a career-high six boards ... Has scored in five of MSU's seven games ... 10-minute stint vs. Central Michigan and scored four points ... 18 minutes at UIC (11/21) and snatched five boards, tops among the subs, and tying his then personal best ... 13 minutes of action vs. ETSU (11/17) and and finished with five points and three rebounds.

#44 -- Junior Jason Klein is No. 2 on the team in scoring (9.9 ppg) ... Recorded his fourth double-figure scoring effort of the year vs. Detroit (12/13) with 10 points ... Has scored in double figures in four of his last five outings ... Totaled 11 points (tying season high) vs. Temple (12/4), tying him for team honors ... No. 1 on the squad in treys with 17 ... Coca-Cola Classic All-Tournament Team pick after scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 boards in the two games ... 11 points in 17 minutes against Central Michigan ... Sank three treys against the Chippewas, tying his career high ... Has two or more treys in all seven contests this year ... Played a career-long 29 minutes vs. Illinois-Chicago (11/21) and hit three treys en route to nine points ... 21 minutes as a reserve vs. ETSU and notched nine points, tops among the subs ... Fifteen career games of two or more treys (five coming last year, three in '95-96).

#55 -- Senior DuJuan Wiley is averaging 12.1 minutes per outing through seven contests ... Has scored in every game including seven points (tying season high) vs. Detroit (12/13) ... Grabbed a career-best seven rebounds vs. Detroit ... Team leader in field goal shooting, hitting 65.2 percent (15 of 23) of his attempts ... MSU leader in blocked shots with 12 ... Tied his career high in blocked shots with four in the Cleveland State (12/6) game and also grabbed five rebounds ... Hit all three field goal attempts and scored seven points against Central Michigan (11/28) ... First career start came in the ETSU (11/17) game where he played a career-long 20 minutes while finishing with a six caroms and four blocked shots, tying career high.

Bet You Didn'T Know That
Junior forward Antonio Smith has started the last 34 Spartan contests while sophomore guard Mateen Cleaves has the starting nod in MSU's last 31 encounters ... Smith has 493 career rebouds, just seven shy of reaching the 500 career mark ... Dating from last year, the Spartans have made three or more three-point field goals in their last 17 games ... MSU has allowed just 26 of its last 156 opponents to shoot 50 percent or better from the field ... MSU has totaled 35 blocked shots after seven games (5.0 bpg) compared to 27 last year and 11 in 1995-96.

More On The Schedule
The time of the Spartans' Big Ten opener at Purdue on Dec. 30 has been moved up to 5:00 p.m. (EST). The game was originally scheduled for 7:00 p.m., but was moved as to not conflict with Purdue fans wishing to watch the Boilermaker football team in the Alamo Bowl that evening starting at 8:00 p.m.

Scouting Wright State
Through eight games, WSU is averaging 68.4 points while allowing 68.9 The Raiders are shooting 43.4 percent from the floor while their opponents are connecting at a 43.5 percent rate. Junior Keion Brooks leads the team in scoring (18.1 ppg) and assists (4.2 apg). The 6-foot-3 Brooks, a first-team All-MCC selection last year, was just one of four players in the nation to lead their team in scoring, rebounds and assists during the 1996-97 campaign.