The Michigan State Spartans basketball team is looking like a very strong team this year.
Though they lost big-time scorer Drew Neitzel and all-time leader in blocked shots at Michigan State in Drew Naymick, they have sophomore point guard Kalin Lucas (pictured above). He has shown very good signs of becoming a phenomenal point guard for Tom Izzo, Also, there is a top recruit in freshman Delvon Roe to take the power forward or center spot for Naymick.
Tom Izzo says that Kalin Lucas is the quickest player that he has ever coached. That is saying a lot for a guy with as much experience as Izzo.
This year will be very tough for the Spartans as they play North Carolina at Ford Field in Detroit for the ACC-Big 10 Challenge. They also play the defending National Champions in the Kansas Jayhawks at the Breslin Center.
6 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
J.C. Hagan 8 months ago
I think they're losing too much to be a legitimate final four contender. That said, Izzo's got some horses, and I think they'll land 2nd/3rd in the Big Ten and go to the Sweet Sixteen before their inexperience catches up with them. The future's certainly green in MSU basketball.
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Will Chaklos 8 months ago
I believe that MSU will be (much) better than they were a year ago. While many might view the departure of Drew Neitzel as a significant problem, I feel that it might actually be a blessing in disguise. Last year the Spartans tried to get Neitzel the ball way too often and it seemed that whenever he wasn't hitting his shot the rest of the team panicked and couldn't overcome the turnovers and fouls that resulted. I believe that with the point guard play of Kalin Lucas and the guard play of rising sophomore Chris Allen and incoming freshmen Korie Luscious, combined with the contributions of Raymar Morgan and Durrell Summers make them an imposing force at the 1, 2, and 3 spots. Not to mention that senior Goran Suton should continue his stellar play from last year and have a breakout season in '09. Freshman Delvon Roe should be able to easily replace Drew Naymick and add a lot more offense to the 4 spot. I predict a much overdue Big Ten title for MSU and a home court final four at Ford Field. These Spartans will surpass their preseason predictions!
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Andrew Perkins 8 months ago
What ever happened to Marquise Gray? He seemed to show so much promise two seasons ago, but this past season he saw his minutes significantly cut and didn't do much with what he had anyway.
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Aaron Coughlin 8 months ago
Will, I totally agree with everything you said. There is way too many people thinking that the loss of Neitzel will kill the Spartans. I don't think that it is accurate. Kalin Lucas will fill in for him well.
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Allan Dale 8 months ago
If Izzo can hold off the pros, then final four this season and National Champs the next year. It is going to be a fun two years in the Breslin Arena.
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jim bROWN 8 months ago
mark my words: Freshman Korie Lucious will turn many heads this year.... What a fantastic player...
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