Something has come over Matt McQuaid. Ever since Michigan State began playing win-or-go-home basketball, starting two weeks ago in the Big Ten Tournament, its most experienced player has entered a different zone.
McQuaid would shrug this off, but it's almost like he was aware of a certain set of personal circumstances entering the postseason -- he was in danger of becoming just the third player to spend four years in Tom Izzo's program and never make a Final Four.
"Matt is on a mission that he doesn’t want to lose," Izzo said last weekend. "He’s had that sense of urgency where he’s not nervous about it, he just doesn’t want to quit playing. That's a cool thing for a senior."
He played that way again Sunday night in the Elite 8, attacking the biggest game of the season without a trace of fear. McQuaid scored a loud nine points, including a couple highlight-reel plays, to help Izzo slay the dragon versus Duke while staring down a demon of his own.
McQuaid, after 139 career games, the most on this Michigan State team, is headed to the Final Four.
"One of the best feelings I've ever had," he said.
With due respect to McQuaid's sound defense and steady aim from three, there's nothing flashy about his game. That's what made it so surprising, and so very March, that he provided two of the more eye-popping moments Sunday night -- in a game loaded with eye-popping talent.
"It was the basketball gods, I guess," McQuaid said with a smile. "Just drove baseline and then just adjusted my body to avoid getting my shot blocked and threw it up -- and the basketball gods did me good."
It was the epitome of a circus shot, one that left color commentator Bill Raftery exclaiming, "There's Paul Westphal!" Surely McQuaid's never hit one like that in his life, right?
Wrong.
Check out his Ball is Life mixtape, McQuaid said. He hit that very shot in high school. And he hit it with his left hand for good measure, though McQuaid left that little detail out.
"But when I saw Cassius start dribbling it out, I was like, 'Final Four! Final Four! Final Four!'"
Afterward, he was trying to explain the excitement of getting there for the first time, when freshman Gabe Brown poked his head over a crowd of reporters at McQuaid's locker.
"To do it with this group -- with Gabe Brown -- love my teammates," McQuaid smiled. "We've been through so much this year, injuries and adversity, so to do this is special."
It's never about McQuaid alone, at least as far as he's concerned. But he was the only one Sunday night whose personal legacy was squarely on the line. He checked the box he needed to, and he can check a couple more next weekend.
But then, maybe McQuaid's legacy was already secure. Maybe the outcome versus Duke wasn't so consequential. As Izzo likes to say, there are three types of basketball players -- those that like the game, those that love the game and those that live the game.
And there's little doubt where McQuaid fits in after four seasons at Michigan State.
"Matt McQuaid's one of those guys that lives the game," said Izzo. "He’s worn out more balls and shooting machines than any guy that I’ve had in a while. He deserves every single thing. He’s changed from a great offensive player to becoming a good defensive player when all the injuries hit, and now he’s working back on the offensive side.
"I’m happy for Matt, I’m happy for his family. He’s got the greatest parents. He truly is about the team. For him, winning and not scoring a point is cool, and there’s not many like that this day and age."