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Tampa subregional
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 24, 2003
TAMPA -- This is Erazem Lorbek's first year in the United States and first glance at the NCAA Tournament.
The freshman from Slovenia calls March Madness "basketball month," amazed at how "every day you have so many games."
For Michigan State, he's playing a big role in allowing the games to continue.
The 6-foot-10 forward led the Spartans with 17 points in their 79-64 victory Friday against Colorado and followed that with 12 points Sunday in a 68-46 second-round victory against Florida.
"I've just practiced well," said Lorbek, who earned a starting role during the season's second half. "Coach gave me an opportunity in the first five (minutes Sunday), so I tried to play with aggressiveness."
Aggressiveness with, perhaps, a dash of good fortune. Lorbek entered the game with just eight 3-pointers all season and no more than one in a game. He made two during the first half, both with the shot clock winding down.
"I had last-second shots, so I had to shoot them," Lorbek said. "I wasn't surprised. I can make that shot.'
Lorbek made his first start Dec. 21 against South Florida and scored nine points. He was the MVP of the 2002 European Championships for Juniors, leading Slovenia to a second-place finish.
"(Lorbek's) play has come a long way," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
ON TOP AGAIN: Michigan State's Paul Davis edged Florida's Anthony Roberson for Michigan Mr. Basketball honors last year and held the advantage again Sunday.
While Roberson struggled through an 0-for-6 shooting night, Davis had a solid effort with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and five rebounds.
Davis said he did not keep an eye on Roberson during the game but was aware of his accomplishments during the season.
"He's an unbelievable player. He's had a great freshman year," Davis said. "But all around, I think our defense was unbelievable. I wasn't really watching him that much. I'm just coming out here trying to play my game."
ODD STREAK: Michigan State has won by double digits in each of its past 11 games.
"No one expected us to win, much less by as much as we did," senior Adam Ballinger said. "Everything just starts clicking. We have so many sets of plays that in the Big Ten season are kind of taken away. Once you get outside of your conference, teams don't know each other as well."
NOTES: Florida is 2-3 all time against Michigan State. ... Coach Billy Donovan must wait until next season to get his 150th win. He's the only active coach to play and coach in a Final Four.