The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 are taking place in 4 cities around the country and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with some Michigan State locker room interviews
SR G Nick Sanders
Your father Barry was a Hall of Fame RB for the Detroit Lions (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0VGmQ4SvTY): will he be in attendance this weekend, and how much of your success is due to good genes? I think he is coming to DC. He was such a freak athlete, but I need to give my mom some credit as well: she played volleyball/basketball.
Your team was 6-5 in its final 11 games entering the NCAA tourney: how did you turn things around last week? We all locked in a little more and watched some film: you want to be ascending in March.
What makes Tom Izzo such a great coach? He is unselfish and cares about his players/staff. He has already accomplished everything (including winning an NCAA title/making the Hall of Fame) so he just wants us to succeed.
Is Jeremy Fears Jr. just the next 1 in a long line of great Michigan State PGs or is he at another level? He is on track to be as good as (if not better than) the PGs who came before him like Mateen Cleaves/Magic Johnson because he just works hard.
What do you know about UConn? They won a title in 2 of the past 3 years and have that championship DNA so we will have to play as hard as hell.
SR G Denham Wojcik
Your father Doug is the associate head coach at Michigan State: is that the main reason you transferred from Harvard? I had some injuries in the past and wanted to be at a bigger program with a lesser role where I could be part of something special. My dad was certainly a factor, and Coach Tom Izzo was the other big reason.
You missed all last year due to surgery: how is your health? I am doing great. There is no time of the season like March so I will worry about everything else later.
Your father made 3 NCAA tourneys with David Robinson at Navy, your mother Lael did basketball/track at Navy, and your brother Paxson played basketball at Brown/UNC: who is the best athlete in the family? My mom was a pretty good athlete, my dad made it to the Elite 8 and has the most accolades, and my brother can shoot it the best. I have the most speed/quickness, but we are all close.
What makes Tom Izzo such a great coach? He is relentless and puts the time in so we are never unprepared. He always has a game plan and loves his players.
What do you know about UConn? It is going to be a bloodbath. They are physical and have played through a lot of things. Tarris Reed is a big presence inside, but we will be ready.
Check back for a lot more access all weekend long!
