Michigan State University Basketball Quiz

Answer: Charles Bemies

The first established coach for Michigan Agricultural College (MSU), Charels Bemies was the first athletic director in school history, while also coaching the football, baseball and track teams. Bermies led the Spartans for two seasons with an overall record of 5-2 (.714), including a heartbreaking loss to Olivet by a score of 5-6.

Answer: True

The Spartans played this unlikely team three times in the early 1900s, including a 94-4 blow out in 1906. Other odd teams that the Spartans have played in their history include:The Saginaw Bank Clerks, Michigan School for the Deaf, and the Detroit YMCA who has an all-time series advantage over MSU 10-14, in their first 24 meetings.

Answer: Gus Ganakas

Gus Ganakas led his teams to a combined career record of 89-84 (.514) between 1969-76. His most succesfull seasons were in 1973-74 with a fourth place Big Ten finish and 1974-75 with a 17-9 overall record.

Answer: Paul Davis

Despite having scored 1,718 points (more than Magic Johnson, Charlie Bell, and Mateen Cleaves), and 910 rebounds in his 4 seasons as a Spartan, Davis was never voted to an All-American team.

Answer: Jason Richardson

Although Richardson was an explosive and talented player, he did not earn his bones playing in the streets of Flint. This group of players from Flint, known to fans as the "Flintstones", all had legendary high school careers in Flint.

Answer: Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Magic Johnson is arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time. However, the Big Ten Player of the Year Award was not established until 1982, 3 years after Magic went on to the NBA.

Answer: Indiana State

Michigan State, coached by Jud Heathcote, won the championship with a 75-64 victory over Indiana State. This game was a preview to the fierce NBA rivalry between Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. At the time it was the highest rated college basketball game in history.

Answer: Matt Sylvester

After a disappointing double-overtime loss, a fouled out Matt Sylvester attempted to leave the Breslin Center court several seconds before the game was over. On his way to the OSU locker room, an excited MSU fan asked Sylvester if he was "...too good to wait for his team?" Sylvester then retaliated by spitting in the face of the MSU fan.

After serving his 1-game suspension, Sylvester mailed a letter to the MSU student apologizing for his actions.

Answer: UCLA

Although UCLA was in the same bracket as MSU that year, they lost to Iowa State in the Sweet Sixteen.

Answer: WCCW-AM (1310)

The Spartan Sports Network produced and distributed basketball broadcasts on 39 affiliates throughout Michigan. Providing color commentary for the 2006-07 season in his 21st straight year was the venerable Gus Ganakas. Joining Gus was Will Tieman as the play-by-play voice of the Spartans.