Tom Izzo's favorite time of year is upon us and much like he's been saying all year, it's a "new experience" this time around.

Having four freshman playing key roles and only one player available who has played any kind of significant minutes in the Big Dance (Tum Tum Nairn) will lead a coach to say that.

Despite all that Izzo likes the way his team matches up against Miami and gave the Hurricanes credit for having the "toughness" that Michigan State at times has lacked.

In other news Gavin Schilling has started jumping and shooting for the first time since injuring his knee last year. He does have one year of eligibility remaining after this season.

A strange story surfaced when looking through Michigan State's press notes this week in that despite Michigan State being a green colored school, Tom Izzo has never won on St. Patrick's Day during his time at Michigan State. With Miami being the 8-seed (and colors of green and orange) perhaps they try and recruit the Luck of the Irish by wearing their greens against MSU.

Michigan State is in their 20th consecutive NCAA basketball tournament, catch all the action as the Spartans attempt to make a run through the Midwest region on your home for Michigan State basketball, Classic Rock 94.9 WMMQ and Lansing's Big Talker 1240 WJIM. Coverage begins at 8:00 P.M. on Friday night.

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