I’m a Michigan State grad so of course I’ll be cheering for the Spartans. Here in East Lansing no one thought they’d make the Final Four, especially after coach Tom Izzo recruited a couple of “not so well known” freshmen from of all places -- a Christian academy near Wichita, Kansas. Perhaps coach Izzo had read Sunrise Christian Academy’s mission statement: just as, "…Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man," Sunrise Christian Academy will educate students in mind, body, and soul, to live in favor with God and man for time and eternity.”

As Bob Wojnowski writes -- in a gem of a story in the Detroit News -- Marvin Clark Jr. and Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr. appear to be success stories for the Christian academy.

Clark was lost growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, shuttled from relatives' homes to a foster home to a domestic violence center, sometimes to no home at all. His father, Marvin Clark Sr., died in a car accident when Clark was 3. His mother had six children and struggled to provide for them.

Amid a cluttered life, there always was basketball. And while Clark's story isn't rare, his response is revelatory.

"I would just say, at the end of the day, nobody's going to feel sorry for you, no matter where you come from," Clark said. "If you want to make a change, be different. Treat people with respect. I grew up with a lot of kids in the same situation, and a lot go the wrong way. They treat people with disrespect instead of respect."

It's similar to Nairn's tale, growing up in an impoverished neighborhood in the Bahamas, using basketball channels to reach the U.S. without his family. Nairn ended up with Clark at the same high school, Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, and they bonded.

Maybe there’s something in the water at Sunrise Academy, but Nairn and Clark genuinely impressed the reporter.

You listen to Nairn and Clark talk about their pasts in such humble tones, without a hint of anger or regret, and you see what Izzo sees, future leaders. You see what Dawson saw when Clark showed up and immediately started contributing, scoring 15 twice in Michigan State's first four games.

Dawson also grew up without his father, but that wasn't his only connection with Clark. The freshman needed guidance, an occasional ride to class, and a little help understanding why Izzo was yelling at him, and why it was important to listen.

How did Dawson know how to deal with the newcomer? Because others — Draymond Green, Derrick Nix — had done it for Dawson. It's how a great program endures, how Izzo has crafted such continuity, 18 straight years in the tournament, one generation passing traits to the next. When the Spartans talk of their deep-rooted chemistry, this is what they mean.

In a moment when there’s so much wrong about college sports, when so many cherished, Christian, traditional values are under assault, it looks to me like Mr. Clark and Mr. Nairn, and maybe the program itself, have found some Permanent Things and no matter what the score Saturday -- they’ve won.