Let's Get Physical: A Message to the Michigan State Basketball Team

The Michigan State Spartans are back where they belong—in the AP Top 10. The Spartans have leap-frogged four spots and are holding the No. 7 ranking in the country. It seems that the Spartans are getting back to what has made them flourish in the past, and that's physical domination. It may not be the prettiest style of play to watch, but it's got the job done time and time again.

The Spartans handled the 20th (currently No. 16) ranked Wisconsin Badgers at home January 6, 54-47. Anyone that knows Spartan basketball knows that Izzo's men don't lose at the Bres', especially during conference play.

State then went on the road to Iowa City where they throttled the Hawkeyes, 71-53 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Any road win in the Big Ten is a quality win, even if it was against a 5-10 Iowa Hawkeye squad.

It seems that the message that Izzo sent to his team in recent days has had a chance to sink in. 

Mix in some choice expletives and vein-popping dictation and you have a Tom Izzo pep-talk.

Kalin Lucas surely got the message, scoring 14 points in 27 minutes, going 6 for 6 at the line, and only turning the ball over once in State's up-ending of the Hawkeyes.

It would appear that being tossed out of practice on his ear last week may have knocked "Too Easy" back down a notch.

That's exactly where he needs to be.

Lucas and Izzo didn't see eye-to-eye, but it's safe to say that the issue has been resolved, and just in time.

The Spartans (13-3, 3-0) are one of two undefeated teams in the conference, Illinois is also 3-0 (11-5 overall).

With the meat of their conference schedule lurking around the corner, have the Spartans finally fine-tuned their basketball machine?

Minnesota (3-1 Big Ten) will travel to East Lansing on January 13 to square off with the Spartans, and then come the unblemished Illini on the 16th. These two games will serve as a barometer to see what shape the team's psyche is in.

Early losses to Florida, Texas and North Carolina had fans questioning the team's gumption.

Everybody and their brother were quick to tag Izzo's bunch as "overrated," writing them off and pointing fingers.

State's heart may have been questioned just weeks ago, but never cast doubt on Izzo's passion or intensity for the game.

He didn't get the program where it's at by being a push-over. Twelve consecutive NCAA tournaments, five Big Ten regular season championships, a national championship and two Big Ten tournament titles. Let's throw in five Final Fours, just for good measure.

The key is simple: peak at the right time.

Spartan fans know March is when the Spartans play their best ball, if that's not a great time to reach the pinnacle of their game, I don't know when is.

State dominated the Big Ten last year, posting a mark of 15-3 and knocking off giants on their way to the NCAA title game. The heart breaking loss should have made one thing loud and clear: it's not just about Kalin Lucas.

The Spartans are at their best when the soft-handed Draymond Green is at the helm, he's already proved that with State's win over Wisconsin.

Green is playing beyond his years and the team would benefit from a second leader on the floor. Lucas is one of the nation's point guards, but every general needs a lieutenant.

Look for a more physical brand of basketball from the Spartans this Big Ten season. Outstanding rebounding is a trademark of an Izzo clan, that won't change.

The fast-paced, run-the-ball-through-Lucas style may not suit them this year. There is a need for an almost football style of guard play, the style that Mateen Cleaves was so famous for. The finesse days are over, it's time for smash mouth basketball. The addition of Dion Sims will give the Spartans much needed versatility.

It remains to be seen how much playing time Sims will get, but rest assured, if Izzo gets him acclimated to his system, he'll be a great fit. Throw in Sims' football background, and there's a new and improved Matt Trannon. That type of physicality brought success to East Lansing, and it will continue to do so.

Don't forget, Izzo has a football background as well.