Michigan State Spartans: March Magic Going Poof?

The Michigan State Spartans open Big Ten tournament play tomorrow, against a familiar opponent in the Ohio State Buckeyes.  Familiarity seems to be the Spartans’ biggest problem as they enter this month of March.  The Spartans' play in the month of March is going to have to appear unfamiliar to the opponent if they plan on playing deep into this tournament. 

Tom Izzo's Spartans have relied heavily on set plays over the course of the last decade.  It served them very well early in Izzo's tenure.  Lately, however, the Spartans’ quick hitting plays have left the offense on an island with no apparent means of transportation.  When you rely on quick hitting plays, it is important to have veteran players who are able to make very quick adjustments and read how the defense is going to defend them. 

In the early days of Izzo's tenure, many of his players were four year college players.  The attrition of Izzo's young players and his staff has left the offense unimaginative.  All of the plays now are like cookie cutter plays.

As the Spartans prepare for tomorrow's game, and their run in the Big Ten tournament, you hope that maybe the coaching staff will have a few new wrinkles up its sleeve.  For the better part of the last three years, we have seen the same sets over and over again. 

This has often left the Spartans with eight seconds on the shot clock and no apparent offensive direction.  Their opponents who now know those sets as well as the MSU players are left having to play only eight seconds of good solid defense.

When you look at the potential match-ups, you will see that the Spartans will be facing the Big Ten's elite coaches.  If the draw holds relatively true, the Spartans could face Thad Matta, Bo Ryan, and Matt Painter.  Those are definitely three of the premier coaches in America. 

If Izzo and company don't bring a little bit of spice with them to Indianapolis, they will be headed home long before most Spartan fans would like.