March is officially here and there is no group of people more excited for March Madness than the Spartans of Michigan State. There is something about this tournament that increases the competitiveness in each player on our basketball team and in our basketball fans. We love being able to watch the team’s hard work from the season carry over into the tournament, always giving us some exciting basketball to watch. With “Mr. March” Tom Izzo as the head coach, we can guarantee he has the men fully prepared to put the Madness in March and break some hearts along the way.
With Michigan State having such a successful year for sports, there is no doubt every State fan is expecting more success during the tournament.
Being a student at Michigan State University is a blessing because we are getting a great education and contributing to our sports teams’ success with continuous school spirit and support. Now that March Madness is here, the freshman are getting excited for their first tournament as a student, and the seniors are preparing for their last tournament and doing everything they can to continue showing school spirit and support to make it one to remember. It is pretty sweet for the freshman to have such a great basketball team their first year at MSU, and very bittersweet for the seniors to be spending their last year in the Izzone with such a successful team.
I was lucky enough to talk to some freshman and senior “Super Fans” to see what their thoughts were on this year’s tournament. These are the fans that go to every game and contribute to the reason our student section, the Izzone, is feared by many teams. You probably have seen a couple of these super fans on the big screen doing anything they can to stick out in the crowd and make their school spirit known.
Senior advertising major David Weston (The Panda) and senior kinesiology major David Berkompas (The Polar Bear), are two of Michigan State’s biggest sports fans. They are constantly shown on the big screen in the Breslin and known around campus for wearing the polar bear and panda costumes at the games. Other interviewees include senior nursing major Rachel Pytel, freshman accounting major Nick Donley, and freshman packaging major Brandon Herold. Each of these students got to share with me their love for March Madness and why Michigan State is going to make a huge run in this tournament.
What do you love about March Madness?
Nick Donley, Freshman:
“I love March Madness for a few reasons. First of all, brackets. I fill out at least 20 brackets a year. Secondly, the unexpected upsets get me pumped. But I think most of all, I love the fact that I can sit in front of a TV, two computers, and a phone and watch four college basketball games at once.”
“The Polar Bear” David Berkompas, Senior:
“I love March Madness because anything can happen. Huge upsets and Cinderella stories are fun to watch, as well as filling out brackets and competing for the best one with friends.”
Which player are you most excited to watch during the tournament?
Rachel Pytel, Senior:
“I am most excited to watch Valentine and Forbes as they continue to be a force together. Valentine is always helping out wherever the team needs it whether it be with points, assists, or rebounds. He is just a playmaker. When Forbes is on, he is unstoppable. The two of them are a lethal combination.”
“The Panda” David Weston, Senior:
“For me, it’s Denzel Valentine. It seems every year a senior guard takes over for MSU and plays out of his mind in the tourney. Denzel is already doing that, so it’ll be cool to see if he can turn it up even more. Also, Matt Costello and his celebrations on the big stage.”
What is Michigan State’s biggest advantage heading into the tournament?
Brandon Herold, Freshman:
“The biggest advantage is having a deep bench, their experience, and having “Mr. March” Tom Izzo as their coach."
“The Panda” David Weston, Senior:
“Ball movement. Everyone on the team is unselfish and is a pretty good passer, so it’s hard to just focus on one player to shut him down.”
Nick Donley, Freshman:
“MSU’s biggest advantage is their versatility…I can confidently say that there is no other team in the NCAA that has the ability to stretch out a defense with transition points, while also being able to consistently use the clock, feed the post, and score.”
Who, or what, is Michigan State’s “secret weapon”?
“The Polar Bear” David Berkompas, Senior:
“I think Bryn Forbes could be. He gets over looked nationally, but when he’s on his game he can shoot better than anyone in the country.”
“The Panda” David Weston, Senior:
“Matty McBuckets. I don’t know when, and I don’t know against who, but McQuaid is going to break some team’s hearts."
Rachel Pytel, Senior:
“The Izzone is their secret weapon, obviously! They will show up in numbers no matter where the team is.”
Nick Donley, Freshman:
“I think Bryn Forbes could definitely be a secret weapon for MSU. That being said, Deytona Davis is much more under the radar. With Costello being the strong man in the post, Deytona is crucial when it comes to help defense. Also, he runs the floor better than any other big man in the country, so he could definitely be a secret weapon for State.”
What is your favorite thing about Michigan State basketball?
Brandon Herold, Freshman:
“The legacy of MSU in March with Tom Izzo and being able to be a part of the Izzone.”
Rachel Pytel, Senior:
“My favorite thing about MSU basketball is the environment and community it creates for it’s fans. Being a part of the Izzone has been one of the highlights of my college experience and I am so happy that I had the opportunity to be in it for four years.”
Nick Donley, Freshman:
“It's gotta be the Izzone. Being able to heckle the players is pretty awesome, too. I think we definitely played a role in a few games this year like Maryland and the “No means No” chant at Rashed Sullimon… and then the “Nigel Nigel Nigel” chant against Wisconsin in a game where Nigel Hayes scored a season low of five points. Just being a part of such a large fan base is really cool.”
“The Panda” David Weston, Senior:
“The atmosphere at the Breslin. The Izzone struggled early in the year, but I think we definitely turned it on down the stretch. Just ask Nigel.”
“The Polar Bear” David Berkompas, Senior:
“I love the way that the team and student section work together during the games. We’re all like one big family and there’s great energy and camaraderie between everyone at the games.”
The feeling all Spartans have during March is a feeling that cannot be explained. The students and the players thrive off each other’s energy, making the game as a whole lot more fun for all the fans. We get this rush of energy whenever we watch our team prepare for battle.
Nick Donley, Freshman:
“I think this is our year. I really believe that State is the most well rounded, complete team in the country… I don’t think it matters if we end up a 1 seed, 2 seed or even a 5 seed. It doesn’t matter who we’re paired up against.”
“The Polar Bear” David Berkompas, Senior:
“I can’t wait to see how we’re lined up in the tournament and watch us go all the way! I’ll be there to watch us win our last two games in the final four and national championship no doubt.”
“The Panda” David Weston, Senior:
“This team is special, and fun to watch. Whatever happens in the tourney, they have played some of the best basketball I have seen in my four years here.”
We are more than just fans, and they are more than just a basketball team. We are family. We are Michigan State Spartans.
