Ginger Kids.

I have nothing personal against Ginger Kids.

I remember watching the Michigan State Spartans win the 2000 National Championship. I remember them being led by a great point guard Mateen Cleaves and an athletic forward named Morris Peterson. I remember watching the energetic and passionate 46 year old coach Tim Izzo cut down the net after defeating the Florida Gators 89-76. I remember the ginger haired Adam Ballinger celebrating with his teammates after the game.

Since then I have always had respect for Michigan State's basketball program, mainly their head coach Mr. Izzo. It has been nearly 9 years since Izzo's Spartans have won the National Championship, and different players came and went. However, the almighty Spartans remained to be a very competitive team year in and year out. When I think of the Michigan State Spartans two words pop into my head - Ginger Kids. As far back as I can remember Michigan State always seemed to have one red-haired kid on every team since their championship season. The Spartans have also dominated the Gophers since then: Spartans 11 wins, Gophers 3. Coincidence? I think not...

The 14 games the Spartans and Gophers have played since the 1999-2000 season, Gopher wins in bold (* denotes Ginger Kid).

3/2/2000 @MSU L 43-79 Adam Ballinger* plays 23 minutes.

2/11/2001 MSU L 83-94 Adam Ballinger* plays 3 minutes.

1/5/2002 MSU W 70-67 No Ginger played (Adam Ballinger* played ZERO minutes)

2/21/2002 @MSU L 55-74 Adam Ballinger* scores 20 points

1/18/2003 MSU W 77-69 Adam Ballinger* played 20 minutes, MSU shot 31.6%

2/26/2003 @MSU L 61-71 Adam Ballinger* played 6 minutes

1/28/2004 MSU L 78-79 Drew Naymick* played 1 minute

2/14/2004 @MSU L 58-69 No Ginger data available

1/22/2005 MSU L 55-69 Drew Naymick* played 16 minutes

2/16/2005 @MSU L 62-81 Drew Naymick* played 7 minutes

2/11/2006 MSU W 69-55 No Ginger played (Naymick* played ZERO minutes)

1/24/2007 @MSU L 46-70 Ginger Drew Naymick* started the game

1/5/2008 @MSU L 59-65 Drew Naymick* played 21 minutes

1/20/2008 MSU L 73-78 Ginger Drew Naymick* started the game

In the 11 Spartan victories over the Gophers the token Spartan Ginger Kid played in 10 of the 11 games. In the 3 Gopher victories over the Spartans the token Spartan Ginger Kid has played 0 minutes or the Spartans shoot a terrible percentage; all 3 Gopher victories have been at Williams Arena. This is great news for the Gophers, who host the Gingerless Spartans next, no Ginger Kid to save you now Mr. Izzo.