Spartan Hoopla: Michigan State-Northwestern Preview

Just over a year ago, the Northwestern Wildcats came into the Breslin Center at 9-6 and looked like a "gimme" for Tom Izzo's Spartans.

Northwestern came in the underdog but left with a 70-63 victory, silencing the notoriously rowdy crowd of the Bres'. Michigan State doesn't lose at home; apparently the 'Cats didn't get that memo.  

State was over-confident, cocky, and just plain looked past the so-so Wildcats.

Kevin Coble shot 3-for-8 from 3-point range and lit the Spartans up for 31 points in front of his mother. Michael Thompson erupted for 20 points, the stage was set for the biggest win of Northwestern's season—and the 'Cats did it.

State was 15-2 and eyeing another conference title, not giving much thought to the upset-minded Wildcats. 

Don't think that Kalin Lucas and company forgot about that loss; it's time for revenge  as far as the Spartans are concerned.

Although Lucas put up 20 points, he still couldn't rally his team past Coble and friends.

That was then, this is now.

The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year wants to right the ship; you can bet on that.

Michigan State has a stranglehold over the Big Ten, and things aren't that different this year than they were from the last.

Izzo's Spartans are 8-0, off to their best conference start in history, and are the fifth-ranked team in the nation.

Eerie similarities to last year, right?

In 2010 Bill Carmody's crew comes to East Lansing at 14-6 but without Coble. He's out with a foot injury for the remainder of the season but somehow the 'Cats are finding ways to stay afloat without him.

Sporting a 3-5 conference record is not that impressive, but with big wins over Purdue and Illinois, the 'Cats aren't exactly cowering in their litter box.

John Shurna and Michael Thompson lead Northwestern's scoring attack and with Drew Crawford's recent point spree, the Spartans could be in trouble once again.

Raymar Morgan is back on his horse. He's tallied double-digit point totals in his last four games, scoring 20 against Michigan (season-high) earlier this week in a 57-56 win.

Morgan will have to be on his A-game if he doesn't want a repeat of last year. He played only 18 minutes in last season's contest, he was battling what was thought to be the flu (turned out it was mono).

Once again, Chris Allen will have to be a guy who can step up and hit key baskets for Izzo. If warmed up, Allen is one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in the league. 

Draymond Green and Delvon Roe will have to establish a physical presence early and make Northwestern shoot from the perimeter. Sounds simple but it's going to have to be all about keeping the 'Cats out of the paint.

One of the keys to beating Michigan State is to beat it inside. Texas and North Carolina were successful doing, that's why the two beat the Spartans.

Losing to Northwestern wouldn't be the end of the world, but don't count on a win if you're a Wildcat fan.

History repeats itself, but the Spartans are re-writing the Michigan State basketball books as we speak.

Revenge is a dish best served cold, Izzo is hoping Carmody's bunch are hungry.