1998–99 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 August 2023 120 3 2 4th 4th 3rd 3rd 3rd Mateen Cleaves Antonio Smith Jason Klein Thomas Kelley Basketball 1998–99 Michigan State Spartans Michigan State Spartans script.svg Big Ten Conference Big Ten 33–5 15–1 Tom Izzo Tom Crean Stan Heath Mike Garland Breslin Center Pearl Harbor Classic championsBig Ten regular season championsBig Ten tournament champions NCAA tournament Final Four The 1998–99 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The team played their home games at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan and were coached by fourth-year head coach, Tom Izzo. The Spartans finished the season 33–5, 15–1 to win the Big Ten regular season championship by three games. MSU defeated Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Illinois to win the Big Ten tournament and received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. As the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region, they defeated Mount Saint Mary's and Ole Miss to advance to their second straight Sweet Sixteen. In the Sweet Sixteen they defeated Oklahoma to advance to the school's first Elite Eight since 1979. In the Elite Eight, they defeated Kentucky to earn a trip to the Final Four for the first time since 1979. There they lost to No. 1-ranked Duke. The 33 wins marked a school record for wins in a season.http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=2362496 OSU gets probation 2006-03-10 ESPN.com 2018-02-22 Previous season The Spartans finished the 1997–98 season 22–8, 13–3 in Big Ten play to earn a share of the Big Ten regular season championship. They lost in the quarterfinals of the inaugural Big Ten tournament to Minnesota. Michigan State received an at-large bid as a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, their first trip to the Tournament under Tom Izzo. They defeated Eastern Michigan and Princeton to advance to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to No. 1-seeded North Carolina. Season summary The Spartans, fresh off their first trip to the Sweet Sixteen since 1990, started the season ranked No. 5 in the country. Michigan State was led by juniors Mateen Cleaves (11.7 points and 7.2 assists per game) and Morris Peterson (13.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game). The Spartans played three top seven teams in their first seven games. MSU lost all three: at No. 7 Temple, Temple Stuns No. 5 Michigan State, 60-59 – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/112198aab.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103217/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/112198aab.html dead versus No. 4 Duke at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, No. 4 Duke Holds on to Beat No. 9 MSU, 73-67 – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/120398aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103224/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/120398aaa.html dead and at No. 1 Connecticut. Men's Basketball Falls to Top-Ranked UConn – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/120698aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103225/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/120698aaa.html dead However, the Spartans finished the non–conference season without another loss and a record of 11–3 while ranked No. 14 in the country. After losing their first Big Ten game to No. 24 Wisconsin, Men's Basketball Suffers Upset at the Hands of No. 24 Wisconsin – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/010799aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103241/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/010799aaa.html dead UWBadgers.com – The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers – Men's Basketball http://stats.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-baskbl///1998-1999/01-06-99.html stats.uwbadgers.com 2016-02-22 the Spartans won the remaining 15 games in conference. The wins included wins against No. 19 Minnesota, No. 14 Michigan State Downs 19th Ranked Minnesota, 71-55 – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/011499aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103245/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/011499aaa.html dead No. 14 Iowa, Spartans Take over Sole Possession of First Place in Big Ten – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/012299aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103249/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/012299aaa.html dead at No. 18 Indiana, Spartans Down No. 18 Indiana – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/012599aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103252/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/012599aaa.html dead No. 15 Ohio State, Men's Basketball Downs No. 15 Ohio State – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/012899aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103254/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/012899aaa.html dead at No. 14 Iowa, Men's Hoops Downs No. 14 Iowa – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/020699aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103300/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/020699aaa.html dead at No. 22 Minnesota, Spartan Cagers Win Thriller Over Minnesota – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/021499aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103305/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/021499aaa.html dead No. 17 Purdue, No. 4 Michigan State Downs Purdue, 82-69 – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/021799aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103307/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/021799aaa.html dead Men's Hoops Falls to Fourth-Ranked Michigan State http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/021799aaa.html www.purduesports.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20160311045317/http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/021799aaa.html dead No. 14 Wisconsin, Spartans Clinch Big Ten Regular Season Crown – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/022299aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103311/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/022299aaa.html dead UWBadgers.com – The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers – Men's Basketball http://stats.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-baskbl///1998-1999/02-21-99.html stats.uwbadgers.com 2016-02-22 and at No. 23 Purdue. Men's Hoops Routs No. 23 Purdue – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030199aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103313/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030199aaa.html dead Men's Hoops Falls to No. 3 Michigan State http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030199aaa.html www.purduesports.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20160311045226/http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030199aaa.html dead The Spartans won the Big Ten conference regular season by three games with a record of 15–1. MSU finished the regular season ranked No. 2 in the country. (Ohio State, who finished in second place with a 12–4 record, was later forced to vacate 29 games including all conference wins.) The Spartans earned the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten tournament and faced Northwestern in the quarterfinals. MSU struggled in the game and appeared to be headed toward a second-straight early exit from only the second-ever Big Ten tournament, but Matteen Cleaves hit a clutch shot with 37 second remaining to give MSU a two-point win. Spartans Escape Big Ten Quarterfinal Scare – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030599aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103315/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030599aaa.html dead In the semifinals, MSU faced No. 19 Wisconsin, the only team that had beaten MSU in the regular season. The Spartans held Wisconsin scoreless for nearly 11 minutes in the second half on their way to 56–41 win. Spartans Roll Over Wisconsin – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030699aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103317/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030699aaa.html dead UWBadgers.com – The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers – Men's Basketball http://stats.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-baskbl///1998-1999/03-06-99.html stats.uwbadgers.com 2016-02-22 The win propelled the Spartans to the championship game against Cinderalla Illinois, who had finished last in conference, but had made a run to the championship game. With MSU looking to lock up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and Illinois looking to simply make the Tournament with a win, the Spartans blew out the Illini 67–50 to win their first Big Ten tournament championship. Michigan State Wins Big Ten tournament – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030799aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103319/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/030799aaa.html dead The win gave the Spartans the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Spartans were awarded a No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region. In a First Round victory over Mount St. Mary's, MSU used tough defense to hold off the Mountaineers, 76–53. Michigan State Passes First Round Test – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031399aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103321/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031399aaa.html dead In the Second Round, the Spartans faced No. 9-seeded Mississippi. Michigan State used a late 13–0 run to hold off the upset and defeat the Rebels, 73–66. Spartans Survive Battle with Ole Miss – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031599aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103323/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/031599aaa.html dead Cleaves led the Spartans with 18 points as they advanced to their second straight Sweet Sixteen. In the Sweet Sixteen, No. 13-seeded Oklahoma pushed the Spartans and MSU struggled offensively. Spartans Defense Downs Sooners – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/032099aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103325/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/032099aaa.html dead However, Andre Hutson's 13 points led the Spartans to hard-fought 54–46 win, their 21st straight win. 1999 OU Men's Basketball Season - SoonerStats.com - Oklahoma Sooners Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Softball Scores, Records, and Stats http://www.soonerstats.com/basketball/men/seasons/schedule.cfm?SeasonID=1999 www.soonerstats.com 2016-02-22 In the Elite Eight for the first time since winning the championship since 1979, MSU faced No. 3-seeded and No. 8-ranked Kentucky. Michigan State trailed by as many 13 points early in the contest, but they fought back to beat Kentucky 73–66 to advance to the Final Four. See You in St. Pete! – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/032299aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103335/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/032299aaa.html dead 1999 Michigan State vs. Kentucky Elite Eight http://ncaa-basketball-tournament.pointafter.com/l/938/1999-Michigan-State-vs-Kentucky-Elite-Eight ncaa-basketball-tournament.pointafter.com 2016-02-22September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes There, they were re-matched against the overall No. 1 seed, Duke, who had defeated them 73–67 early in the season. With the Spartans riding a 22-game winning streak, Duke was able to beat the Spartans 68–62, ending their season. Spartans Battle, Fall to Blue Devils – Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/032899aaa.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103337/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/032899aaa.html dead 1999 Duke vs. Michigan State Final Four http://ncaa-basketball-tournament.pointafter.com/l/1219/1999-Duke-vs-Michigan-State-Final-Four ncaa-basketball-tournament.pointafter.com 2016-02-22September 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes Roster and statistics 1998–99 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball teamNameClassPosHeightSummaryAdam BallingerFRF6'9"1.5 Pts, 1.3 Reb, 0.3 AstCharlie BellSOG6"3"7.8 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 1.0 AstSteve Cherry SOG6'6"0.5 Pts, 0.4 Reb, 0.1 AstMateen CleavesJRG6'2"11.7 Pts, 1.6 Reb, 7.2 AstDoug DavisSOG6'3"1.9 Pts, 0.5 Reb, 1.1 AstA. J. GrangerSOF6'9"6.6 Pts, 3.9 Reb, 0.6 AstLorenzo GuessSOG6'3"0.8 Pts, 0.6 Reb, 0.0 AstAndre HutsonSOF6'8"8.9 Pts, 5.2 Reb, 0.6 AstThomas KelleySRG6'2"5.1 Pts, 1.2 Reb, 1.3 AstJason KleinSRF6'7"9.4 Pts, 2.7 Reb, 1.0 AstMorris PetersonJRF6'7"13.6 Pts, 5.7 Reb, 0.9 AstAntonio SmithSRF6'8"6.5 Pts, 8.4 Reb, 1.1 AstBrandon SmithSOG5'11"0.3 Pts, 0.1 Reb, 0.2 AstSourcehttps://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/michigan-state/1999.html 1998 Michigan State Spartans College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com 2016-04-21 Schedule and results no no |- !colspan=9 style=Michigan State Spartans| Exhibition Nov 4, 1998 yes 5 Estonia Select Team Breslin Center East Lansing, MI 83–63 14,569 Nov 10, 1998 yes 5 Athletes in Action Breslin Center East Lansing, MI 101–79 14,667 |- !colspan=9 style=Michigan State Spartans| Non-conference regular season Nov 13, 1998 yes 5 Northeast Louisiana Breslin Center East Lansing, MI 89–58 14,659 1–0 Nov 17, 1998 yes yes 5 Oakland Athletics Center O'rena Auburn Hills, MI 96–66 3,405 2–0 Nov 20, 1998 yes yes 5 Temple 7 Liacouras Center Philadelphia, PA ESPN 59–60 10,206 2–1 Nov 27, 1998 yes 7 Central Florida Breslin Center East Lansing, MI Coca Cola Spartan Classic semifinals 87–64 3–1 Nov 28, 1998 yes 7 Western Michigan Breslin Center East Lansing, MI Coca Cola Spartan Classic championship 87–64 14,659 4–1 Dec 2, 1998 yes yes 9 Duke 4 United Center Chicago, IL Great Eight ESPN 67–73 19,412 4–2 Dec 5, 1998 yes yes 9 Connecticut 1 Harry A. Gampel Pavilion Storrs, CT CBS 68–82 10,207 4–3 Dec 10, 1998 yes 14 East Tennessee State Breslin Center East Lansing, MI 86–53 5,335 5–3 Dec 13, 1998 yes 14 Illinois–Chicago Breslin Center East Lansing, MI 77–33 14,659 6–3 Dec 21, 1998 yes yes 14 Pepperdine George Q. Cannon Activities Center Laie, HI Pearl Harbor Classic 79–67 7–3 Dec 22, 1998 yes yes 15 Tulsa George Q. Cannon Activities Center Laie, HI Pearl Harbor Classic semifinals 68–58 8–3 Dec 23, 1998 yes yes 15 Alabama George Q. Cannon Activities Center Laie, HI Pearl Harbor Classic championship 75–58 9–3 Dec 30, 1998 yes 13 North Carolina–Asheville Breslin Center East Lansing, MI 64–39 14,659 10–3 Jan 2, 1999 yes 14 Louisville Breslin Center East Lansing, MI CBS 59–57 14,659 11–3 |- !colspan=9 style=Michigan State Spartans|Big Ten regular season Jan 6, 1999 yes 12 Wisconsin 24 Kohl Center Madison, WI ESPN Regional 51–66 15,504 11–4 0–1 Jan 9, 1999 12 Michigan Breslin Center East Lansing, MI Rivalry ESPN Regional 81–67 14,659 12–4 1–1 Jan 13, 1999 14 Minnesota 19 Breslin Center East Lansing, MI ESPN Regional 71–55 14,659 13–4 2–1 Jan 16, 1999 yes 14 Illinois Assembly Hall Champaign, IL ESPN Regional 51–49 14–4 3–1 Jan 21, 1999 11 Iowa 14 Breslin Center East Lansing, MI ESPN 80–65 14,659 15–4 4–1 Jan 24, 1999 yes 11 Indiana 18 Assembly Hall Bloomington, IN CBS 73–59 17,436 16–4 5–1 Jan 27, 1999 8 Ohio State 15 Breslin Center East Lansing, MI ESPN Regional 76–71 14,659 17–4 6–1 Jan 30, 1999 8 Northwestern Breslin Center East Lansing, MI ESPN Regional 65–48 14,659 18–4 7–1 Feb 2, 1999 yes 8 Penn State Bryce Jordan Center University Park, PA ESPN Regional 70–68 9,736 19–4 8–1 Feb 6, 1999 yes 8 Iowa 14 Carver–Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, IA ESPN Regional 95–81 15,500 20–4 9–1 Feb 11, 1999 5 Illinois Breslin Center East Lansing, MI ESPN 61–44 14,659 21–4 10–1 Feb 13 7:00 pm yes 4 Minnesota 22 Williams Arena Minneapolis, MN ESPN 84–82 14,887 22–4 11–1 Feb 16, 1999 4 Purdue 17 Breslin Center East Lansing, MI ESPN 82–69 14,659 23–4 12–1 Feb 18, 1999 yes 4 Michigan Crisler Arena Ann Arbor, MI Rivalry ESPN 73–58 13,458 24–4 13–1 Feb 21, 1999 3 Wisconsin 13 Breslin Center East Lansing, MI ESPN Regional 56–51 14,659 25–4 14–1 Feb 27, 1999 yes 3 Purdue 23 Mackey Arena West Lafayette, IN CBS 60–46 14,123 26–4 15–1 |- !colspan=9 style=Michigan State Spartans|Big Ten tournament Mar 5, 1999 yes 2 1 Northwestern 8 United Center Chicago, IL quarterfinals 61–59 27–4 Mar 6, 1999 yes 2 1 Wisconsin 18 4 United Center Chicago, IL semifinals 56–41 28–4 Mar 7, 1999 yes 2 1 Illinois 11 United Center Chicago, IL championship 67–50 19,581 29–4 |- !colspan=9 style=Michigan State Spartans|NCAA tournament Mar 12, 1999 yes 2 1 MW Mount St. Mary's 16 MW Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI First Round CBS 76–53 30–4 Mar 14, 1999 yes 2 1 MW Ole Miss 9 MW Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI Second Round CBS 74–66 18,525 31–4 Mar 19, 1999 yes 2 1 MW Oklahoma 13 MW Edward Jones Dome St. Louis, MO Sweet Sixteen CBS 54–46 32–4 Mar 21, 1999 yes 2 1 MW Kentucky 8 3 MW Edward Jones Dome St. Louis, MO Elite Eight CBS 73–66 42,519 33–4 Mar 27, 1999 yes 2 1 MW Duke 1 1 E Tropicana Field St. Petersburg, FL Final Four CBS 62–68 41,340 33–5 AP Poll Eastern TimeSourcehttps://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/michigan-state/1999-schedule.html 1998-99 Michigan State Spartans Schedule and Resultshttp://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/98index.html Michigan State Official Athletic Site 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023816/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/98index.html dead Rankings 1998-99 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings + Ranking movementLegend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. (RV) Received votes but unranked. (NR) Not ranked. Poll Pre Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Wk 15 Wk 16 Wk 17 Final AP 5 5 7 9 14 14 15 13 12 14 11 8 8 5 4 3 22 Awards and honors Mateen Cleaves – All-America selection Mateen Cleaves – Big Ten Player of the Year Michigan State Official Athletic Site http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030299aab.html www.msuspartans.com 2016-02-22 2016-03-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304133901/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030299aab.html dead Mateen Cleaves – All-Big Ten First Team Mateen Cleaves – Chicago Tribune Silver Basketball Mateen Cleaves – Most Outstanding Player, Big Ten Conference Basketball Tournament Morris Peterson – All-Big Ten First Team Antonio Smith – All-Big Ten Third Team References Category:Michigan State Spartans men's basketball seasons Michigan State Spartans Category:Big Ten men's basketball tournament championship seasons Category:NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Final Four seasons Michigan State Michigan State Spartans men's b Michigan State Spartans men's b