COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NCAA MEN’S TOURNAMENT : Heathcote Retired Early by Upstart Weber State

Twenty-four years in college coaching didn’t prepare Jud Heathcote for the premature end to his career.

Although the 67-year-old Michigan State coach held his composure while his two star players wept during a postgame news conference, Heathcote clearly was frustrated after Friday night’s 79-72 loss to Weber State in the opening round of the NCAA Southeast Regional.

“Hey, we’re devastated. I’m sorry for the seniors and I’m sorry for myself,” he said as All-American Shawn Respert and backcourt mate Eric Snow wept and consoled one another.

“I knew going in it would be over when it was over, but I didn’t think it would be this soon. I thought we would make a run in the tournament,” Heathcote said. “We talked about Seattle (Final Four), but you’ve got to play better than we did to win big basketball games.”

Ruben Nembhard scored 27 points and Jimmy DeGraffenried made three three-point baskets on his way to 12 second-half points that helped the Big Sky Conference tournament champions pull off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

Michigan State (22-6) joined Villanova as the highest seeds to bow out in their opening game. The third-seeded Spartans led the No. 14 Wildcats, 46-37, at halftime, but were outscored, 26-7, in the first 9 1/2 minutes of the second half.

“I’m not surprised they were good, but they were better than we expected them to be,” said Heathcote.

The victory was the first in the NCAA tournament in 16 years for Weber State (21-8), but Coach Ron Abegglen played down the magnitude in deference to Heathcote.

“They’re a great ballclub, and I do not want to be remembered as the guy who beat Jud Heathcote in his last game. I respected him a long time,” Abegglen said. “I’m tickled for my team.”

Respert put on a dazzling three-point shooting performance in scoring 16 first-half points, but Weber State extended its zone defense after halftime and the Big Ten scoring leader didn’t make another shot until dropping in the sixth of his seven three-point baskets with 9:25 remaining.

Heathcote ended his career with a 340-220 record and one national title in 19 seasons at Michigan State and a 420-273 mark overall.