MSU Basketball Just Getting a Tune-Up
Michigan State basketball is in a very interesting early season predicament. It is quite apparent that our Spartans have loads of talent, but are a work in progress getting the gears to turn as a well-oiled machine. You can see the master at work as Tom Izzo looks at every possible line-up he could use throughout the 2007-2008 season. His premier player and preseason All-American Drew Neitzel is struggling a little bit right now. Drew will get on track and when he does the offense will start to run more smoothly.
Raymar was certainly missed the other night. I don’t know the specifics, but it is evident that no favorites will be played. Izzo has never really played favorites; why should he start now? Raymar is a mismatch for most opponents and will be a huge part of MSU’s run at a Big Ten championship.
The biggest question I have surrounds MSU’s starting line-up. You can pencil in Neitzel… add Suton… Raymar is certainly going to be on the floor, but will it be at the three or the four? You would have to assume that Walton will be in the starting line-up for his leadership and defense. Then again, Kalin Lucas is really special. He could start right now for Michigan State and not vacate the position until the end of the 2010-2011 season. He is that good. What makes him so good is that he is so under control while moving so much faster than everyone else. Kalin is going to create many highlights for Raymar, Chris and Durrell. I am sure Delvon Roe will get some of that alley-oop action when he arrives next season.
I have heard the grumblings. Michigan State fans are right; the Spartans aren’t playing very well right now. I expect that to change in the coming weeks. Much of MSU’s improvement will hinge upon Neitzel’s return to superhero form and the progress of MSU’s three terrific freshman. Michigan State fans are just going to have to let Tom work his magic and figure out his rotation. Defense will be a work in progress with these freshman. Tom won’t be happy with MSU’s defense until they can routinely hold opponents without a basket for 7-10 minute stretches. Now I am probably embellishing my point a little bit, but defense will rule the night at “The Brez†before the non-conference season is over.
Marquise is a little banged up. I really want to see Gray catch a break. He is so capable athletically, but has been riddled with ticky-tack injuries that keep him from being consistent. The good news is that MSU has some depth to keep Gray’s minutes limited until he is 100%. Naymick, Ibok and Herzog will allow Suton to spend more time at the power forward position and I am really anxious to see an MSU line-up that features Morgan at power forward with Summers or Allen at small forward. If MSU is able to defend consistently with that combination, it will be a very tough for teams to match up with MSU’s fast break. This is especially true if Kalin Lucas continues to improve at the rate he has thus far. The secret is out; I am a self-proclaimed Kalin Lucas fan.
Michigan State will do exactly what they do every year. They will be a little inconsistent, a bit rough around the edges and look a little out of sync early. The holiday break will come around, Izzo and his staff will hunker down in the Breslin bunker with their kids and preach defense and hustle. The football style rebounding drills will be run, Neitzel will find his outside jumper and the line-ups will take shape. This will happen just like it does every year when Spartan fans dream of championships. The biggest difference is that MSU has the talent to make our Spartan Christmas wish come true. I cannot wait to see this team after the new year. Let the skeptics speak now; they know the Spartan storm is on its way. There is not a coach in America that will want to play MSU after January 1st. The Spartan machine is in the garage getting a tune-up. Can’t wait to see the Spartan fast break at full speed.
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