Finally, Michigan State is getting the attention it deserves.
Not that the Spartans were exactly ignored before, but 18 straight wins earned them the No. 1 seed in the Midwest and it would have been easy to mistake them for a three seed.
Kentucky was the mighty power itching to win another championship, while Utah was primed to make another deep run. A solid, physical team like Michigan State lacked the flair.
But the Utes flamed out early and the Spartans knocked off Kentucky by seven in the regional finals. It wasn't just Mateen Cleaves either. The All-American dished out 11 assists, but Morris Peterson scored 19 and had 10 rebounds off the bench. A.J. Granger, also coming off the bench, chipped in 14.
"Everybody stepped up in their own way," coach Tom Izzo said. "There were so many guys that made plays."
Without all of the players stepping up, Michigan State wouldn't be in St. Petersburg. That's because Cleaves shot just 36 percent in the last three games with 13 turnovers.
Peterson and Granger have stepped up off the bench, both averaging double figures during the tournament. Among starters, Andre Hutson and Charlie Bell are shooting over 73 percent.
For Michigan State, however, the story goes well beyond the statistics. The Spartans are a team that claws their way to many wins. That means defense and strong rebounding (they pounded Duke in the first meeting in early December).
"Our toughness," Izzo said, "is part of our success."
It took toughness in Izzo's first few seasons. The coach has been with the program since 1983 and took over as head coach three seasons ago. In his first two, the Spartans finished 16-16 and 17-12, and they started last off last year with a 4-3 mark.
Before anyone could complain, though, Izzo turned things around. Michigan State is 51-9 since with a pair of Big Ten titles.
"Remember, a slow start and a good ending is a lot better than a fast start and a bad ending," he said.
A lot of that obviously has to do with Cleaves. The junior is the heart and soul of the Spartans, a calming force at the point position and clutch scorer late in games. Though he's only shooting 40 percent for the season, there's no question who has the ball when Michigan State is in a close situation.
Going up against Duke's Will Avery, Cleaves' ability to control the game is crucial if his team is to pull off the upset. St. John's Erick Barkley rattled Avery back in late January and the Red Storm almost stunned the Blue Devils.
Cleaves must do the same for his team to have a chance.
"It's no doubt we're going to be an underdog, but we've been the underdog before," Izzo said. "I'm really looking forward to it; I really am. I'm not looking forward to it in a cocky way, thinking that hey, we're just going to go out and beat Duke, but in a confident way where I think we can do some things."
Happy to reach the Final Four, Izzo is well aware of the obstacle he faces.
"There's no bigger upset than Michigan State beating Duke," he said. "All I have to do is make sure our kids understand that. And knowing these players and knowing their toughness, I'm sure we're not going in there scared."
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