The Spartans under future Hall of Fame Head Coach Tom Izzo came into the season ranked #2 in the country. They lost last night to the UCONN Huskies in what seemed like a Final Four game atmosphere, they fell 67 – 70 and had many chances to win the game late.
Last year the Michigan State Spartans were just one win away from playing in their second straight NCAA Championship game, but fell 52-50 to Butler in the National Semis. The Spartans finished with a 28-9 record and were 14-4 in conference games, giving them at least a share of the Big Ten Title in two straight years. Head coach Tom Izzo not only wishes to win the Big Ten regular-season title, he wants to win the conference tournament for the first time in a decade, but with a squad as gifted as the one he controls this year, winning the National Title is really all that matters after the achievements this program has had the last two seasons.
The Spartans won’t have guard Chris Allen and forward Raymar Morgan from last year’s squad, but with a talented nucleus returning, headlined by seniors Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers, and a good freshmen class, Michigan State figures to be even more talented than they were last season. Michigan State opens the 2010 NCAA basketball campaign rated second in the nation, and unless they are hit hard by injuries, they should be ready for a No.1 seed and some additional wins in the postseason.
Frontcourt: Junior Draymond Green started only three times for the Spartans last year, but after dropping 15 pounds this last 
offseason, the Spartans are planning on big things as Green becomes a starter this season. Green put up nearly 10 points, eight boards, and three assists a night last season. Fellow junior Delvon Roe returns to the starting lineup after averaging six points and five boards a contest last year. Roe has battled knee problems the last two seasons, and if he is able to get back to full strength, he should be one of the more improved players on this team. Sophomore Derrick Nix has also trimmed down from last season, and should be able to make more of an impact after averaging just below eight minutes a game as a freshman. Nix will split time at the five with sophomore Garrick Sherman, who was the starter in Michigan State’s season opening win over Eastern Michigan. Also added to the mix is freshman Adreian Payne, who is a real threat on the offensive end, and figures to get a lot of floor time even if he does end up coming off the bench.
Backcourt: Lucas and Summers are what genuinely give this team a chance to go all the way. Lucas was the Big Ten Player of the Year as a sophomore, but struggled with an ankle injury that really slowed him down last year. When at full strength Lucas is among one of the top point guards in the country, with his ability to do so much on offense. Summers is extremely athletic and can really finish inside, but didn’t do well from outside most of last season, before catching fire in the NCAA Tournament, and being named the Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player.
Junior Korie Lucious would be a starter at most schools, but will be the Spartans leading option off the bench this season. Adding even more depth are junior Austin Thorton and freshman Keith Appling, and while they won’t play a ton of minutes with Lucas and Summers on the court, they should be ready to step in and play well when needed.
Prediction – 1st Big Ten: As good as the Spartans are this year, the Big Ten is full with top notch teams, and winning the Big Ten will be a challenge. Still I believe with the talent this team has and one of the best coaches in the game, they are the team to watch out for this season. This is the best squad Izzo has had at Michigan State since winning it all back in 2000.
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