Amanda Knapp
The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball teams faced off in the Armed Forces Classic on November 11, 2022, aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego, California. The game, played in front of thousands of veterans, marked the first time in over a decade that these two teams had met and the first time in a decade that a college basketball game was played on a ship. Coming into the game, both teams were 1-0, with Gonzaga ranked No. 2 and expected to compete for the national championship. Michigan State, on the other hand, was unranked but led by hall-of-fame coach Tom Izzo, who has a history of success with the Spartans.
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What You'll Learn
Michigan State's physicality and aggression
Michigan State's ability to push the ball up the court and their consistency in doing so proved too much for Washington to handle. The Spartans had a significant advantage in fast-break points, demonstrating their ability to turn defence into offence quickly. This physical and fast-paced style of play has been a hallmark of Michigan State, with their passing game coordinator, Aaron Pflugrad, noting their ability to "'out-tough' and 'out-compete' their rivals."
In their game against Gonzaga, Michigan State continued to display their physicality and aggression. They came out aggressively, eager to take on the No. 2 team in the country, and their defensive prowess forced Gonzaga into a low shooting percentage, creating an early advantage. The Spartans' leading scorer, Mady Sissoko, set the tone early with 10 points in the first half, showcasing his team's aggressive mindset.
Michigan State's physical play has been a key component of their strategy, and it has helped them compete with top-ranked teams like Gonzaga. Their ability to impose their style of play and match the intensity of their opponents is a testament to their toughness and determination. While they may not always be the highest-ranked team, their physicality and aggression often make them a formidable opponent.
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Gonzaga's consistency issues
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have established themselves as a major basketball powerhouse, with a highly successful record in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. They have appeared in 27 NCAA tournaments, including 9 consecutive Sweet 16 appearances, and have a combined record of 47-27.
However, despite their impressive record, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have faced defensive struggles that have impacted their consistency. In one instance, they suffered back-to-back losses against West Coast Conference opponents due to their defensive lapses. In three games, they allowed opponents to shoot over 50% from the field, resulting in a significant number of points conceded.
These defensive issues have been a well-known problem for the Bulldogs, and they have worked to address them. Despite their ranking as the No. 2 team in the nation, they faced a challenging matchup against Michigan State in the Armed Forces Classic. The Bulldogs trailed by a significant margin at halftime, struggling to find their rhythm against the unranked Spartans. Michigan State's aggressive play caused turnovers and created an early advantage.
Gonzaga's struggles with consistency were evident in this game, as they had to fight hard to close the gap and ultimately survive with a victory. Their shooting percentage was low, and they faced a double-digit deficit in the second half. However, they managed to turn their performance around, going on an 11-2 run to secure the win.
While the Bulldogs have a history of success and have appeared in almost every recent NCAA tournament, they occasionally face challenges with consistency, particularly on the defensive end. These issues have led to some unexpected losses and close calls, but the team has also demonstrated resilience and the ability to adapt and overcome these struggles.
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Michigan State's high-performing players
Michigan State's men's basketball team has had several high-performing players over the years. Here are some notable mentions:
Mady Sissoko
Mady Sissoko is a standout player for Michigan State. In the 2022 Armed Forces Classic against Gonzaga, Sissoko had a remarkable performance, scoring 14 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. He also had an early 10-point outburst in the first half, showcasing his scoring ability. Sissoko's aggressiveness and activity on the court contributed to Michigan State's strong showing against a top-ranked opponent.
Joey Hauser
Joey Hauser is another key player for Michigan State. In their season opener against Northern Arizona, Hauser posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, including four 3-pointers. His all-around performance helped the Spartans start their season with a convincing 73-55 victory.
Tom Izzo
While not a player, head coach Tom Izzo deserves recognition for his impact on Michigan State basketball. With over 26 years of experience at Michigan State, Izzo has accumulated 643 wins and has a reputation for getting his players to step up in big games. His leadership and strategic acumen have likely been instrumental in the team's success and the development of high-performing players.
Other Notable Players:
- Cassius Winston: Two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, league's player of the year in 2018-19, and the Spartans' all-time assists leader.
- Mateen Cleaves: A charismatic leader, two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, first-team All-American, and part of the Spartans' 2000 national-title-winning team.
- Kalin Lucas: Detroit native who had a great collegiate career, averaging 14.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in his junior year, and improving to 17 points per game in his senior year.
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Gonzaga's early-season tough scheduling
Gonzaga's men's basketball team has a history of scheduling tough opponents early in the season, and the 2022-23 season was no exception. The team kicked off their campaign with a matchup against North Florida, which they won convincingly with a score of 104-63. This game served as a warm-up for the Bulldogs before they embarked on a challenging stretch of games against highly-ranked opponents.
The second game of the season saw Gonzaga face off against Michigan State in the Armed Forces Classic, played aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln to commemorate Veteran's Day and the 100th anniversary of the US Navy's adoption of aircraft carriers. This game marked the first meeting between the two teams in over a decade. Despite entering the game with a perfect 1-0 record and a No. 2 ranking, the Bulldogs faced a stern test from the unranked Spartans, who were led by the experienced coach Tom Izzo. Michigan State came out aggressively, taking advantage of Gonzaga's low shooting percentage and turning over the ball 12 times in the first half to build a double-digit lead.
However, Gonzaga adjusted and mounted a comeback in the second half, outscoring Michigan State 11-2 during a crucial stretch to close the gap and eventually secure a narrow 64-63 victory. This game showcased the resilience and adaptability of the Bulldogs, who were led by Drew Timme's game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Gonzaga's early-season schedule continued to challenge the team, with matchups against highly-regarded programs such as Michigan State, St. Bonaventure Bonnies, St. John's Red Storm, and St. Mary's Mountaineers. These games provided a platform for the Bulldogs to test their mettle against formidable opponents and fine-tune their skills in preparation for the latter stages of the season, where they would inevitably face tougher competition.
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Michigan State's ability to capitalise on Gonzaga's mistakes
Michigan State's aggressive play forced Gonzaga into a low shooting percentage, and the Spartans' physicality was noted in the build-up to the game as a potential challenge for the Zags. MSU's ability to pounce on Gonzaga's mistakes was evident from the outset, with the Spartans taking an early lead and maintaining their advantage throughout the first half.
The game was a closely fought contest, with Gonzaga only taking their first lead late in the second half. However, Michigan State's ability to capitalise on their opponents' errors kept them in the game and nearly delivered a victory against the No. 2 ranked team in the country.
The Spartans' performance in this game showcased their ability to step up against top opposition. Despite not being ranked, they demonstrated their potential to compete with the best and showed why their coach, Tom Izzo, has such a strong reputation. MSU's ability to force and capitalise on mistakes will be a key weapon in their arsenal as they look to build on this performance and improve their rankings.
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Frequently asked questions
The Gonzaga Bulldogs won the game with a score of 64-63.
The game took place on the USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego.
The game took place on November 11, 2022.
Drew Timme was the leading scorer for the Bulldogs, with 22 points.
Mady Sissoko was the leading scorer for Michigan State, with 14 points.
