Michigan State hoop carries on following 51 seasons spanning Gus, Jud and Izzo

Part III of my interview with Maui Jim Maui Invitational tournament director Dave Odom, whose eight-team field Nov. 25-27 includes Michigan State. I asked the college basketball elder statesman about Spartans' unique program connection between three coaches spanning 51 years, Gus Ganakas, Jud Heathcote and Tom Izzo. Part I, Monday, Nov. 18: How the Spartans and Hokies made the Maui field and more on Buzz Williams and the Odom family with Virginia-Chaminade and Virginia-UMBC Part II, Wednesday, Nov. 20: Tom…

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Read more about the article Looking back at Coach K and the early lesson
Looking back on Coach K

Looking back at Coach K and the early lesson

The first time Mike Krzyzewski crossed into my basketball circle was decades ago, although I was unaware who he was. No one knew the future Coach K was on a course to fame that started as an Indiana graduate assistant coach under his mentor, Bobby Knight. Krzyzewski, by then a retired Army captain upon fulfilling his West Point military commitment, had played for Knight at Army, graduating in 1969. Knight later helped Coach K land the Army job…

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