The Breslin Center crowd erupts when they take off their warm-ups.

Every single time.

Sophomore guard Nick Sanders -- son of Detroit Lions legendary running back Barry Sanders -- and graduate guard Steven Izzo -- son of Michigan State Hall of Fame head basketball coach Tom Izzo -- typically enter the game at the same time these days.

When they do, the winning team is not in doubt, and the crowd is chanting their names.

They give it their all, with their teammates hooting and hollering on the bench, cheering them on. Prior to this game, neither of them had scored a point in an official NCAA basketball game.

That changed tonight.

Sanders and Izzo approached the scorer’s table with 1:58 remaining and entered the game with 1:29 left. There had been plenty of reasons for the crowd to cheer during MSU's lopsided win over Stony Brook, but the loudest ovation of the night came with under a minute to go when Steven Izzo grabbed the rebound and dribbled the ball across half court, looking at his options.

The crowd was hoping he would shoot it.

Get his first points.

Instead, he dribbled around the top of the key and sent a pass to his right where Nick Sanders was waiting.

Sanders caught it in front of the Spartan bench and immediately went up with it. As he let it fly, the entire Breslin Center crowd – which was already on its collective feet – let out a tremendous cheer.

Sanders’ first basket of his career was all net.

As his teammates were celebrating, Sanders got back on defense of course. But at the next whistle, he and Steven Izzo embraced, both smiling ear to ear.

I caught up with Nick Sanders and his dad, Barry, after the game outside the Spartan locker room in the lower level of the Breslin Center.

Dozens of people were milling about. The Spartan players were hurriedly getting dressed, ready to hit the road for a mini-Christmas break.

Tonight's game ball was right there. Sanders had grabbed it after the game and had carried it around with him during the players’ customary celebratory lap around the lower bowl of the Breslin Center, high fiving with fans and posing for pictures.

On the court, during the victory lap, as he passed the TV broadcast table, I asked him what he was going to do with the ball.

His was a simple answer: “Keep it. Forever.”

When we chatted after the game near the locker room, Nick was still glowing but, when asked how it felt, he immediately focused his attention on his friend and teammate.

“Awesome. I’m glad I was able to score,” Nick told me. “Now we can focus on Steven [Izzo], so he can get his points.”

That pass from Steven, though -- how was it?

“It was right in the pocket,” Nick answered, smiling. “Steven is a pretty good passer. It was a good pass.”

Asked if he thought the shot was going in right when it left his hands, Nick said he knew.

“It felt good,” he said. “I wasn’t going to shoot it at first – but then I heard Tyson [Walker] yelling to shoot it – so I had to.”

By his count, this was the fifth shot he’s taken as a Spartan. The fact that he made this one, in this setting, was a great feeling.

“It was a surreal moment,” he said through a big smile. “I think I can make a few more. If Steven gives me some more good passes, I’ll be able to make some.”

Outside the locker room, Nick’s dad, Barry, was a proud dad. But as he answered my first questions about Nick, he continued to focus on the team, how well they were playing, how it was good to see them rounding into form.

Stuff like that.

But I pressed him on what it was like to be there and watch his son make his first collegiate basketball shot.

Finally, he relented and acknowledged the moment with his son for what it was.

“As a parent, it’s definitely nice seeing Nick get in, get a chance to play a little bit,” he told me. “That was fun as well.”

Asked what the basket looked like to him, Barry complimented his boy.

“His shot looks good,” he said with a smile. “His shot is in good shape. It looked like he’s been in the gym a little bit.”

What is it like being a part of the Spartan family?

“I love it,” said Barry. “I’m appreciative [of] Coach Izzo. I know Nick just loves being here and appreciates the whole atmosphere and being welcomed in. I love it.”

It was a magical night in the Breslin Center for the Sanders family. That game ball -- that moment -- is going to have a special place in Nick's memories.

No matter how many more he makes in his career, this was the first.

And it meant a lot.

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