Is Michigan State a Cinderella team?

[7Samurai13]

If it were any other 7 seed (VCU, Iowa, Wichita State) they would be considered one. As someone said in another thread, it feels awkward to call them one.

 

[jonvi]

To me that terms refers to a team not in the power 5. But anytime a 7 seed makes it to the ff...it's special.

 

[LambeauLegs]

My opinion no they arent.

Here is one guy who hopes they keep winning regardless if they are considered a Cinderella team or not.

Man has $1 million riding on Michigan State Spartans bet - ESPN

Almost every day, Derek Stevens likes to stop at the sportsbook at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, located between the two properties he owns, to plunk down a bet.

On Dec. 5, Stevens walked in and told sportsbook director Tony Miller that he wanted to make a bet on Michigan State to win it all and to make sure that if he did win, he'd win $1 million.

Although Stevens has been a regular customer, Miller's sportsbook doesn't accept bets that could cause such a colossal loss, so he called up his boss, Tilman Fertitta, who owns the Golden Nugget, to approve the bet.

It was a relatively smooth conversation. The Spartans were at 50-1 to win it all at the time, having just lost their third game of the young, eight-game season to Notre Dame.

So Miller accepted Stevens' $20,000 bet, never thinking he'd be sweating the possibility that the Spartans could pull it off.

"In my nine years at this sportsbook, I never accepted a bet that could result in us paying $1 million," Miller said. "The most I've ever seen won here was a $100,000 parlay."

Stevens, who owns The D and Golden Gate hotels in downtown Las Vegas, said he didn't see anything particularly special; he is just a fan and felt like getting aggressive.

"I bet $1,000 on an NFL game," said Stevens, who attended the University of Michigan but said he also pulls for the Spartans. "I don't do bets this big."

Asked whether he will hedge his bet so he comes out a winner even if the Spartans lose, Stevens said he needs to see how he feels over the next couple of days.

Stevens gives the Golden Nugget the business because Nevada state gaming regulations forbid owners from placing bets at their own establishments.

Miller and Stevens have become good friends over the years, which makes the fact that the Spartans have two games to win it all a bit awkward.

"This would be a massive loss for us," Miller said. "I see days where we lose $10,000 to $30,000, but nothing close to $1 million."

Stevens said he plans on watching Saturday night's game versus Duke at the sports bar at The D, inviting Spartans fans to show up in their green and white to root on the team and his $1 million bet.

"If I win, I'll give some bonus money to my employees," Stevens said. "I also want to give some money to the [Jerry] Tarkanian Basketball Academy, and the rest I will reinvest in my properties."

As for Miller, he watched Friday's Sweet 16 game against Oklahoma with Stevens but isn't sure where he'll catch this Saturday's game. All he knows is he'll be watching every second.

Said Miller: "I haven't watched a Spartans game as closely as I've watched the last two."

 

[TxHeat]

I just read the story about Derek Stevens. The day he put that bet down the Spartans were 5-3.

 

[LambeauLegs]

So we need a Wisky and Sparty final game and then I wont feel so bad if Wisky loses because this guy will hit it big from a casino.

 

[TrollyMcTroller]

So we need a Wisky and Sparty final game and then I wont feel so bad if Wisky loses because this guy will hit it big from a casino.

The guy is a casino owner. Even if you're pulling for him, you're still really cheering for the house.

 

[7Samurai13]

Who bets $20,000 on a team that is 5-3? I don't care what team it is.

 

[gordontrue]

I just read the story about Derek Stevens. The day he put that bet down the Spartans were 5-3.

Definitely time to hedge that bet. Regardless of whether they beat Duke or not... the decision to hedge that bet right now is the correct one.

 

[TxHeat]

Who bets $20,000 on a team that is 5-3? I don't care what team it is.

if you have enough money you can do crazy ass things.

 

[TrollyMcTroller]

Who bets $20,000 on a team that is 5-3? I don't care what team it is.

Depends on the odds, but personally I think 50:1 represented a terrible value at the time.

 

[7Samurai13]

I bet he's kicking himself for not waiting until after the loss to Texas Southern. Probably mud better odds then.

 

[Tin Man]

Perspective, lads. Perspective. This tournament's final four features three #1 seeds, and one little ol' #7, MSU. Sparty is the underdog. If you want to call Sparty "Cinderella," then you have to give Cinderella the SNL Bambi treatment.

 

[7Samurai13]

Perspective, lads. Perspective. This tournament's final four features three #1 seeds, and one little ol' #7, MSU. Sparty is the underdog. If you want to call Sparty "Cinderella," then you have to give Cinderella the SNL Bambi treatment.

I'll allow it.

 

[ralphiewvu]

Who bets $20,000 on a team that is 5-3? I don't care what team it is.

Crazy ass rich white folk that who, playa.

 

[ericd7633]

No this team isn't a cinderella. They've now been to more FF's since 1999 than any other program. MSU is a powerhouse program. Sure they had a down year, but this is still a top 5 program since 2000.

 

[tducey]

Nope, sure they're a 7 seed but if you ask me they should have been seeded much higher this year.

 

[Tin Man]

Nope, sure they're a 7 seed but if you ask me they should have been seeded much higher this year.

Did you say, higher?

 

[Wamu]

I don't consider Sparty a cinderella team due to the conference they play in. Although MSU deserved better than a # 7 seed. No way in hell were there 20+ better teams than them after the conference tourney's ended. Also I think since the 2000 season Coach Izzo has guided his team to more FF appearances than any other coach in the country.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

No this team isn't a cinderella. They've now been to more FF's since 1999 than any other program. MSU is a powerhouse program. Sure they had a down year, but this is still a top 5 program since 2000.

What he said.

This would be like asking if a 10-2 Alabama football team who is in the playoffs is a cinderella team.

 

[7Samurai13]

What he said.

This would be like asking if a 10-2 Alabama football team who is in the playoffs is a cinderella team.

If Alabama were ranked outside the top 25 and were in the playoffs, then that's one hell of a Cinderella story.

Obviously I'm joking about them being a Cinderella team but I need something to pass the time til Saturday.