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Tonight was the culmination of Coach Tom Izzo's yeoman-like work with this year's Spartans. Early in the season, MSU lost a hard fought battle against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The team knew it squandered a golden opportunity to beat Duke on their home floor, and looked hungry for recompense. Tonight, Michigan State finally exorcised its biggest blue demon by beating Duke 78-68 in front of a capacity crowd in Austin, Texas. The Spartans were led by their junior center, Paul Davis, who scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Going into this game, Coach Izzo knew full well how he was going to exploit the matchups between the two teams:

1.) Giving Duke's big man, Sheldon Williams, his 20 points would not necessarily hurt them because it would keep Paul Davis in the game to accumulate fouls. Sheldon Williams did, eventually, foul out.

2.) Taking Duke's junior sharpshooter, J.J. Redick, out of the game is no easy task, but Coach Izzo knew how to do it. He used his team's size and athletic ability to frustrate Redick into taking bad shots. Give credit to Kelvin Torbert, Michigan State's best defender, for getting into his head.

3.) Pushing the ball against Duke with freshman point guard, Drew Neitzel, was another brilliant strategy installed by coach Izzo. This kept Duke on its collective toes and did not allow Sheldon Williams to establish himself in the paint on defense.

4.) Finally, Coach Izzo orchestrated his substitutions to perfection. He exploited the lack of depth on Duke's bench by using his largesse. The Spartans got significant contributions from Torbert, Bograkos, and Trannon coming off the bench.

The effort the Spartans put into this game tonight is a testament to the preparedness of Michigan State's coaching staff. The Spartans ferociously attacked the offensive and defensive glass, they forced better than 20 turnovers, and made their free throws down the stretch. Congratulations to the Spartans for making it to the Elite Eight, maybe I'll see you in Saint Louis.

Some random Spartan tidbits:

--I can only think that Alan Anderson's NBA stock must be skyrocketing. He has put together a string of great performances in the Tournament this year and I am sure scouts have noticed. I had Anderson pegged as a late second round pick, but his play of late might just put him into the late first or early second round of the NBA draft. Anderson is an amazing all-around talent who has played four positions for the Spartans this year. He is a Minneapolis-born player, so I can maintain at least some semblance of objectivity with respect to AA.

--Give Coach Izzo credit for recruiting amazing athletes who can also play within themselves. I have yet to see a team in college basketball that is more athletic than this year's Spartan team. Between Alan Anderson, Kelvin Torbert, Shannon Brown and Maurice Ager, down time in practices must be fun. Three of the four, with the exception of Anderson, have 40-inch verticals; and that's not all, they can play the all-around game, too.

--Significant minutes for freshman point guard, Drew Neitzel, in the Tournament is bad news for the rest of the Big Ten. This kid is going to be a four-year player for the Spartans and will be a point guard in the likeness of former Spartan great, Scott Skiles. This kid can shoot just as well with his left hand as he can with his right, he has great handles and an amazing work ethic. He beat out Detroit's best, Malik Hairston and Joe Crawford, for the Mr. Basketball award in Michigan last year for good reason. Keep your eye on this kid.

--The City of Flint and the State of Michigan should be proud of the college career of senior Kelvin Torbert. The former Gatorade National Player of the Year has done everything asked of him during his four years on the team and more. He hasn't been the offensive force he was expected to be, but he has developed into a great all-around player. Every year he is rated as one of the top three defenders in the Big Ten. Good luck to you, KT, in the future. You are still Flinttown's favored son.

--Even though I have been one of Paul Davis' biggest detractors, I do recognize that he really put Michigan State over the top tonight. He played great on both sides of the ball in the biggest game of his career. But, being the forward-thinker that I am, he still needs to hit the weights. If Davis put on a mere ten pounds for next season he would drastically increase his ability to play both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball--not to mention what the addition would do to his perceived NBA readiness. So, Paul, do what I do; mix a little creatine monohydrate with some protein powder, some ice and some milk; take, drink, wait thirty minutes, and hit the weight room--and take Marquis Gray with you.

--To all the know-it-alls who didn't give Maurice Ager his props back in high school, how do you like him now? I can remember hearing everyone talk about how much better Ricardo Billings was. Well, Ricardo should have been a Spartan because he can't be enjoying riding the pine in Columbus. Big ups, Mo, and go make some more posters.

Bring on Kentucky...

Go Spartans.

Out.