On the outside, I wear the respected colors of the Cornerstone Golden Eagles, but inside Michigan State Spartan green is pumping through my veins.

My love for MSU was born at an early age. As I reminisce, my mind is flooded with colorful memories — the first from the “Flintstone Era” (1999-2001). The team earned this nickname because of three MSU stars from Flint, Mich., high schools: Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and Charlie Bell. These “stones” led MSU to a National Championship in 2000. The second is the miraculous tournament run in 2005, in which No. 5 seed Michigan State beat tournament giants like No. 1 Duke and No. 2 Kentucky to make it to the Final Four.

Unfortunately, the memories have also been disappointing, and at times upsetting. Since the 2005 Final Four run, MSU has no Big Ten Tournament Championships, no regular season championships until this season and a couple early exits from the NCAA tournament. All these memories have led to some sobering moments in my journey as a Michigan State fan.

However, true MSU fans never stop believing.

With a renewed energy throughout the 2008-2009 season, the Spartans cruised to the Big Ten regular season championship with a conference record of 15-3. But March is when it really matters.

Filling out my bracket this year was tough, but I knew who was going to win it all: The Michigan State Spartans.

This is their year. Battle-tested head coach Tom Izzo has his squad ready for the Big Dance. Seniors are playing as veterans should, underclassmen are playing at a high level, role players are stepping up and they all had a dream of playing in Detroit for the National Championship.

As expected, in the first round Michigan State breezed past Robert Morris by 15 points. The Spartans looked great and were peaking at the right time.

Michigan State faced a tough University of Southern California team in the second round. The game, as well as my emotions, went back and forth. But MSU pulled out the win, sealing its invitation to the Sweet Sixteen. After the win, my brother Doug and I celebrated the win with over-the-top yelling, high-fiving and hugging. We were filled with happiness as we watched Izzo and his assistants doing the same.

But I’m not satisfied. I want a national championship.

In the next round Michigan State played the Jayhawks from the University of Kansas. The Jayhawks led the majority of the game and hope was fading fast as Kansas extended its lead with three minutes to play. Then, MSU took over, making defensive stops, grabbing rebounds and hitting big shots that led to a dramatic win. I could finally breathe. I was filled with excitement.

In the Elite Eight Michigan State dismantled Louisville, the team many considered to be the best in the tournament. My celebration did not happen until the clock hit zero. But when it did, my heart beat with pure happiness and excitement. THEY HAD DONE IT! MSU HAD MADE THE FINAL FOUR!

This Saturday, April 4, the Spartans will play the University of Connecticut Huskies in Detroit, a city struggling in the current economic times.

And Spartan Pride will help replace fears of the Detroit’s economic troubles, injecting a breath of life into the city.

When the game begins, I will be glued to my television, fully decked out in MSU apparel, cheering on the Sparties. As I watch my beloved Spartans play, it will be with crossed fingers and quick prayers muttered under my breath.

And after the Spartans win the next two games, I will be able to say to all those doubters, “I told ya so!”