The path Michigan State took to Saturday's NCAA semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium started, in some ways, just across downtown Minneapolis.
On Oct. 27, the Spartans played Gonzaga at Target Center in one of those "secret" scrimmages permitted under NCAA rules. No fans. No media. Just two teams working out the kinks.
"We met halfway," Spartans coach Tom Izzo said. "… And I guess maybe somebody said, 'Wouldn't it be nice to come back here?' "
It was Michigan State's lone trip to Minnesota before the Final Four, as the Spartans defeated the Gophers twice — once in East Lansing and once in Des Moines, in the NCAA tournament's second round.
From all accounts, Gonzaga outplayed Michigan State in the scrimmage, outscoring the Spartans 58-46 in the first half and 52-46 in the second. But the Zags didn't earn a return trip to Minneapolis, losing to Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.
Auburn players sick
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said starting guards Jared Harper and Bryce Brown were both getting over colds that would've kept them from being at full strength if the Tigers had to play Friday.
"We've got a bunch of guys that are sniffling and hacking and coughing, but we don't play [Friday]," Pearl said. "Jared would be less than 100 percent if we had to play [Friday]. If we played [Thursday], Bryce would have been less than 100 percent. He'll be fine [Saturday]."
Harper, who had 26 points to lead Auburn to a victory over Kentucky in the Elite Eight, said his being "a little sick" wasn't going to keep him out of preparing to play the Cavaliers.