1969–70 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
American college basketball season
The 1969–70 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represented Michigan State University in the 1969–70 NCAA University Division men's basketball season as members of the Big Ten Conference . They played their home games at Jenison Fieldhouse in East Lansing, Michigan and were coached by Gus Ganakas in his first year as head coach of the Spartans. The Spartans finished the season 9–15, 5–9 in Big Ten play to finish in a three-way tie for sixth place.[1]
Prior to the season, on September 10, 1969, the Spartans head coach, John E. Benington suffered a heart attack and died after jogging at Jenison Fieldhouse at the age of 47.[2] Ganakas, an assistant under Benington, was promoted to head coach for the season.[2]
Previous season
The Spartans finished the 1968–69 season 11–12, 6–8 in Big Ten play to finish in a three-way tie for fifth place.[3]
Roster and statistics
1969–70 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team
No
Name
Pos
Year
Height
Pts
Reb
11
Lloyd Ward
G
SR
5–11
7.4
2.1
12
Tim Bograkos
G
JR
6–1
3.1
0.9
13
Gary Przybylo
G
SO
6–1
15
Ralph Simpson
F
SO
6–4
29.0
10.4
21
Rudy Benjamin
G
JR
6–3
12.6
2.8
24
Ronald Gutkowski
F
SO
6–5
8.8
5.8
25
Robert Gale
F
SR
6–5
2.3
1.6
31
Eddie Humphrey
G
JR
6–2
1.3
0.3
32
Steve Kirkpatrick
G
SR
6–2
0.7
0.7
33
Paul Dean
G
JR
6–1
1.4
0.6
35
Pat Miller
F
SO
6–2
7.8
3.7
41
James Gibbons
C
SR
6–6
10.2
7.2
42
Craig Larsen
C
SO
6–9
0.1
44
Ron Binge
F
SR
6–5
0.0
45
William Cohrs
C
SO
6–6
0.7
0.6
Source[4] [2]
Schedule and results
Date time, TV
Rank#
Opponent#
Result
Record
Site city, state
Regular season
Dec 1, 1969 *
Eastern Kentucky
W 89–85
1–0
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Dec 6, 1969 *
Toledo
L 80–82
1–1
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Dec 13, 1969 *
at Western Michigan
W 86–71
2–1
University Arena Kalamazoo, MI
Dec 17, 1969 *
at Butler
L 60–81
2–2
Hinkle Fieldhouse Indianapolis, IN
Dec 19, 1969 *
vs. Bradley Utah Classic semifinals
W 89–87
3–2
John M. Huntsman Center Salt Lake City, UT
Dec 20, 1969 *
at Utah Utah Classic championship
L 85–105
3–3
John M. Huntsman Center Salt Lake City, UT
Dec 27, 1969 *
at Oregon Far West Classic quarterfinals
L 82–87
3–4
McArthur Court Portland, OR
Dec 29, 1969 *
vs. No. 15 Illinois Far West Classic consolation game
L 77–86
3–5
McArthur Court Portland, OR
Dec 30, 1969 *
vs. Temple Far West Classic seventh place game
L 51–90
3–6
McArthur Court Portland, OR
Jan 3, 1970
at Indiana
W 85–84
4–6 (1–0)
Assembly Hall Bloomington, IN
Jan 10, 1970
Northwestern
W 98–93
5–6 (2–0)
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Jan 17, 1970
at Minnesota
L 78–85
5–7 (2–1)
Williams Arena Minneapolis, MN
Jan 20, 1970 *
No. 20 Notre Dame
W 85–82
6–7
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Jan 24, 1970
Michigan Rivalry
L 88–91
6–8 (2–2)
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Jan 31, 1970
Minnesota
L 87–92
6–9 (2–3)
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Feb 3, 1970
at Purdue
L 86–105
6–10 (2–4)
Mackey Arena West Lafayette, IN
Feb 7, 1970
at Wisconsin
L 79–89
6–11 (2–5)
Wisconsin Field House Madison, WI
Feb 10, 1970
Ohio State
L 66–86
6–12 (2–6)
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Feb 14, 1970
at No. 14 Iowa
L 77–103
6–13 (2–7)
Iowa Field House Iowa City, IA
Feb 21, 1970
Indiana
W 78–66
7–13 (3–7)
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Feb 24, 1970
Illinois
L 64–74
7–14 (3–8)
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Feb 28, 1970
at Ohio State
W 82–80
8–14 (4–8)
St. John Arena Columbus, OH
Mar 3, 1970
Purdue
L 98–101
8–15 (4–9)
Jenison Fieldhouse East Lansing, MI
Mar 7, 1970
at Illinois
W 81–76
9–15 (5–9)
Assembly Hall Champaign, IL
*Non-conference game.
# Rankings from
AP Poll . (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
Source
[5] [2]
References
Venues Rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons NCAA national championships in bold; NCAA Final Four appearances in italics