Michigan St 64, Louisville 52 (Final)

[ScriptOhio]

Home court advantage in the finals?

Re: Only 90 miles from their campus in East Lansing, the Spartans will play Connecticut on Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. A crowd of 72,000, the largest ever for college basketball's signature event, is expected for each game. "Detroit, here we come," said Izzo, a Michigan native. "I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that."

Entire article; Michigan State stops No. 1 Louisville to earn spot in home Final Four - NCAA Division I Mens Basketball - CBSSports.com

 

[IronBuckI]

It's a damn shame that there are no SEC or Pac-10 teams that have to play a Big Ten team in what is essentially a home game.

 

[jwinslow]

Walton was going to be the first player since about 1995 to attend MSU without playing in a final four. That streak has now been extended. Impressive stuff.

 

[jwinslow]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Travis Walton #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after their 64-52 win against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after he cut down the net following their 64-52 win against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after he cut down the net following their 64-52 win against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after he cut down the net following their 64-52 win against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans cuts down the final piece of the net following their 64-52 win against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Marquise Gray #41 of the Michigan State Spartans walks off with the midwest region trophy following their 64-52 win against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Chris Allen #3 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after he cut down a piece of the net following their 64-52 win against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Chris Allen #3 of the Michigan State Spartans cuts down a piece of the net following their 64-52 win against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Durrell Summers #15 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Durrell Summers #15 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals walks with his head down against the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Kalin Lucas #1 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Terrence Williams #1 of the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Delvon Roe #10 against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Kalin Lucas #1 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a shot against Reginald Delk #12 of the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans coaches against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Durrell Summers #15 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Reginald Delk #12 of the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals looks on against the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Terrence Jennings #23 of the Louisville Cardinals positions himself for a rebound against Goran Suton #14 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Goran Suton #14 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a shot against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Kalin Lucas #1 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Jerry Smith #34 of the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Korie Lucious #34 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball against Preston Knowles #2 and Andre McGee #33 of the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Kalin Lucas #1 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Preston Knowles #2 of the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals reacts as he coaches against the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]A general view of the opening tip-off between the Louisville Cardinals and the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Terrence Williams #1 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass the ball against Travis Walton #5 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Samardo Samuels #24 of the Louisville Cardinals posts up against Goran Suton #14 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals coaches against the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

[FONT=arial,helvetica]Chris Allen #3 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball against Andre McGee #33 of the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) [/FONT]

Draymond Green #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Steven Izzo (son of head coach Tom Izzo) after Michigan State's 64-52 win against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 29, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

 

[Jake]

It's a damn shame that there are no SEC or Pac-10 teams that have to play a Big Ten team in what is essentially a home game.

Indeed. I would love watching the media whine about how unfair it was to them.

 

[CentralMOBuck]

Most impressive was the rebounding.

I don't know about this year, but isn't that always a characteristic of a Izzo coached team? They rebound exceptionally well.

 

[bkochmc]

I don't know about this year, but isn't that always a characteristic of a Izzo coached team? They rebound exceptionally well.

They were #1 in the country in rebounding margin coming into the tournament... par the course for Izzo's squads.

 

[Steve19]

Those pictures show exactly what I mentioned just after the game. Louisville was hanging all over MSU during the game, grabbing their arms as they shot, literally grabbing them by the waist and holding their jerseys--without fouls being called. MSU repeatedly got called for ticky-tack fouls.

It makes the win all that much more impressive.

"Let the dark force flow through you! Grab him by both..."

 

[Steve19]

I wish it had been the Buckeyes, but I will take in a Big Ten moment! Izzo looks a bit like he should be saying, "Boss, da plane, da plane!"

 

[LitlBuck]

As soon as the game began, I knew that MSU would win the game because Louisville was playing a fucking zone defense and what was MSU playing. Yup, man-to-man.

 

[NFBuck]

"Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in..."

 

[Oh8ch]

I just read a report that four hours after the end of the MSU game the Cialis Hot Line was flooded with calls from Detroit scalpers.

 

[BigWoof31]

Good thread - needs more pictures though.