Tom Izzo had won just once against Coach K and the Blue Devils in 12 meetings during his 24-year tenure with Michigan State. That's 1-11.
“They are now the sweetest 2-11 you’ll ever see," Mike Valenti said during the opening of his show Monday afternoon.
Valenti says now that MSU has done what it couldn't for so many years, the Spartans are heading to Minneapolis in the driver's seat.
“For so many years, Duke has represented the end of all your hopes and dreams," Valenti said. "But in many of those seasons, Duke represented the end point. They represented the Kryptonite and I’ve seen some really good Michigan State teams get that glazed look in their eye. Kinda that ‘oh no, it’s happening again’ look."
"I don’t remember a Final Four I went to or watched where I felt MSU is the best team. I feel like this is it, in the most unexpected manner ever. This is Tom Izzo’s second national title. We’re staring at it. We’re looking at it. And I think it’s MSU’s to lose. They can lose it, believe me. The margin of error will be thin, but do I believe MSU is the best team left? I do."
“That’s not a disrespect to anybody. Not Texas Tech, not Virginia, not Auburn. But Michigan State is now the hunted," Valenti said.
The Blue Devils went on a 12-0 run late in the first half to hold a 30-21 lead over Michigan State. "Duke was doing Duke things," and the Spartans were starting to get that "glazed look in their eyes."
But then they responded with a 13-0 run of their own and took a 34-30 lead into halftime.
"That’s a champion’s answer. This team’s toughness is simply remarkable," Valenti said.
Valenti says you have to go back to the "Flintstones" team that took home the national title in 2000 to find a Spartans team with the same mental toughness.
"I’ll say it. I’m not going to be a scaredy cat. It’s simple: this is our tournament to lose."