Indianapolis Flashbacks

Had a fantastic time in Indianapolis this past weekend.  The biggest surprise of all was seeing Joe Rexroad in a tie.  It kind of ruins his laid-back image.  Anyway, here are some interesting tidbits I was able to pick up at the games.

On Sunday morning, I asked Dave Pruder (Equipment Manager) how the team was able to get a mask for Raymar Morgan on such short notice.  He explained that a friend of the team at Butler University helped them get one.  Apparently there are stores around where you can just walk in and buy one.  It takes a little reshaping to fit an individual face, but the overall process went very quickly.

In Sunday's Indianapolis Star, sports writer Bob Kravitz wrote a very long and detailed column about Coach Izzo going to Kentucky.  He explained that it would be the best move for Kentucky and Tom, and that Kentucky would surely contact him no matter what.  Coach Izzo said yesterday that Kentucky never contacted him.  I guess Bob Kravitz must be using Rob Parker's old peeps after he left the Detroit News.  All this just further proves that outsiders just don't understand Coach Izzo's loyalty to MSU

Two humorous moments during the games in Indy:  Friday night, during the Kansas game, Idong Ibok lined up at the baseline to inbound the ball after MSU had just made a basket.  All the Kansas players had started down the floor, so he probably figured maybe he could pull a fast one on the refs.  Everyone in the stadium was in stitches after the refs discovered the mistake, and sent ID on down the floor.  In Sunday's game, just before the half, Travis Walton was instructed to call a time out with just a few seconds left just as the team has done all season.  Interestingly, he appeared to run up to Rick Pitino, not Coach Izzo, to call the time out.  Again, many chuckles from the crowd.

I don't remember seeing this in any local media, but Sports Illustrated quoted Mark Hollis on why Tom Izzo would not leave Michigan State.  They roomed together as bachelors back in the mid-80's.  Hollis said, "Being his old roommate, I've got a few pictures of him.  I guarantee he's not going anywhere".

Finally, if you are going to the games in Detroit, Durrell Summers mother, La'Andrea told me the best way to get there is to take the Woodward Avenue bus and get off at the Fox Theater, about a block from the stadium.  That's what she plans to do!  By the way, the party at her house will feature ribs and chicken.  She did stop short of inviting everyone, though.

Okay, fans:  enjoy the parties and games in Detroit, and GO GREEN!