Four years ago, Matt Costello was jumping for joy. His Michigan State team beat Louisville to get to the Final Four. He can’t do that at the moment. Not with the bad ankle that forced him home from his previous pro team in Italy. Even though that walking boot he finally shed allowed him to blend in with the rest of the Spartans this winter.

But Tom Izzo put his former forward to work as he returned to East Lansing to rehab, giving Costello a chance to work with MSU’s big men and help them break down film. And, as it turns out, give them advice on what to expect in Saturday’s Final Four — both in dealing with the atmosphere of the biggest stage and in facing Texas Tech’s smothering defense.