AT A GLANCE

* How they got there: Defeated Alabama State, 69-35, and Fresno State, 81-65, in the first two rounds of the South Regional at Memphis, Tenn.; defeated Gonzaga, 77-62, in the regional semifinals and Temple, 69-62, in regional final at Atlanta.

* Leading tournament scorers: Andre Hutson 14.3 points a game; Charlie Bell, 13.8; Jason Richardson 11.5; Zach Randolph 9.0.

* Leading tournament rebounders: Hutson 9.8; David Thomas 7.0; Randolph 6.8.

* Key to the season: Michigan State had to replace three starters from last year’s NCAA championship team--Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and A.J. Granger. Somehow, the Spartans managed to lose only four games--to Indiana, Ohio State, Illinois, and in the Big Ten tournament to Penn State. Defense, rebounding and toughness, as usual, have been the keys. So has the evolving identity of a team whose senior leaders, Hutson at forward and Bell at point guard, were used to Cleaves doing the talking.

* Key fact: With a 16-2 record in NCAA tournament games, Coach Tom Izzo has a winning percentage of 88.9--best among active coaches with at least 10 games, including Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski (79.4%). Overall, only Cincinnati’s Ed Jucker (.917; 11-1) and LaSalle’s Ken Loeffler (.900; 9-1) have better winning percentages.

LOG

MICHIGAN STATE (28-4)

Oakland: W 97-61

Cornell: W 89-56

Eastern Washington: W 83-61

North Carolina: W 77-64

Illinois Chicago: W 97-53

Florida: W 99-83

at Loyola Chicago: W 103-71

Kentucky: W 46-45

Seton Hall: W 72-57

at Bowling Green: W 85-69

Wright St: W 88-61

Penn St: W 98-73

at Indiana: L 59-58

Northwestern: W 84-53

Wisconsin: W 69-59

Ohio St: W 71-56

at Northwestern: W 74-58

at Ohio St: L 64-44

at Michigan: W 91-64

Purdue: W 72-55

at Illinois: L 77-66

at Minnesota: W 94-83

Iowa: W 94-70

Indiana: W 66-57

at Penn St: W 76-57

at Wisconsin: W 51-47

Michigan: W 78-57

*Penn St: L 65-63

NCAA tournament

Alabama St: W 69-35

Fresno St: W 81-65

Gonzaga: W 77-62

Temple: W 69-62

* Big Ten tournament.