“This has been our dream. And, now, we’ve done it. You can’t describe how it feels to have a chance to play for the national championship in your hometown.”
—Michigan State sophomore guard Kalin Lucas following Sunday’s victory over No. 1 Louisville.
The dream was to play at Ford Field and in Detroit. They’ve earned the right to do that, but their job isn’t done.
Lucas and the Spartans hold the paerfect opportunity in their hands. MSU is going to play their next game, against the talented Connecticut, in their own backyard. They easily will have home court advantage for that game and if they win that game, they will have home court for the championship game as well.
What a storybook ending it would be if Lucas, Goran Suton, Travis Walton and the rest of the squad use their stifling defense and timely offense and pick up victories to earn another championship for Tom Izzo and the university.
Speaking of Izzo, I’m sure another trip to the Final Four will put to rest all of the talk about how he isn’t being appreciated at MSU. He has proven over time that he has the ability to secure talent and instill an attitude necessary to get too far in the tournament.
A bold statement would also be made about the Big Ten if the Spartans do continue its strong play and finish the season on top. Many believe that the Big East was the best conference this season and perhaps it’s true. However, MSU might squash all those theories with a victory over UConn.
It will be no easy task to fight off a potent Huskies team that many experts picked to go all the way. But with the large and loud home crowd expected at Ford Field, it may be the Huskies that find their hands full.
Besides, aren’t storybook tales supposed to end with happy endings?
—Adam Bouton
Sports reporter
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