We Are Spartans : Michigan State Basketball Preview 2009-10

It's that time of year again, Spartan fans, basketball season. I know many of you are still glued to your sets watching football, but it's about that time to switch gears to Michigan State Basketball.

The Spartans are coming off a Big Ten Championship, Final Four appearance, and were National runners up last year. The men in green are sporting a preseason no. 2 ranking, and are undoubtedly a favorite to make a run at the National Championship yet again. There's no question that Sparty is the team to beat in the Big Ten, with the likes of Kalin Lucas, Delvon Roe, and Durrell Summers, why wouldn't they be ?

The Junior out of Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Kalin Lucas, was Big Ten player of the year in 2009. Kalin is looking to snag this honor in back to back seasons, and is a heavy favorite to do so. Lucas, who averaged almost 15 points per game, shot a healthy 80% from the charity stripe, an absolute menace defensively, and is one of the best point guards in the COUNTRY. Kalin evolved his game last year, becoming a threat from beyond the arc, shooting an impressive 39% from way downtown (bang).

The high-flying, super athlete Durrell Summers has his eyes on duplicating the phenomenal season that he had in 2009. Summers, the Junior hailing from Detroit, is one of the most exciting Spartans to grace the court of the Bres' in a few years. Durrell averaged almost 9 points a game in 38 games in 2008-09, but the stats that don't appear in the box score are what mattered most. Summers hit big shot after big shot, helping to propel Sparty to a Big Ten Championship, and ultimately a National Championship appearance.

Captain Morgan. If you're a Spartan fan, you know who I'm talking about... it's RAYMAR. Raymar battled mononucleosis for a good part of the stretch last year, but still managed to put up 10.2 points per game. The "Captain" is a game changer, elusive to defenders, extremely athletic, and most of all a floor general. Raymar has been a constant producer for Izzo's Spartans, and will have another productive year. Morgan is a Senior this year, and I can speak for all Spartans when I say "thanks for the memories, Raymar". Morgan did something that hasn't been done since Shawn Respert (92-93), that was scoring 20+ in back to back games to open the year. Quite a way to start, Raymar,go get 'em, Captain !

Spartan Seniors, and staples of the green and white, Goran Suton and Travis Walton departed last year. No fear Spartan Nation, we've got a couple talented big men coming in to take Goran's place (2nd round pick of the Utah Jazz in 2009), and plenty of speedy defenders to take Walton's spot.

Derrick Nix, the sure handed big man from Detroit's Pershing High School, is a Freshmen to get excited about. At 6'9'', 285, he'll be battling under the boards for rebounds, a known trademark of Izzo's teams. Michigan State led the nation in rebounding last year, and with a guy like Nix on board, don't be surprised if they do it again. Tom Izzo is a master of the boards, and will surely have Derrick acclimated to his system relatively soon.

Korie Luscious dazzled as a Frosh, with valuable experience under his belt, he'll help to lighten the load for Mr. Everything, Kalin Lucas. The Spartans have one of the better back courts in the country, and with these two speed demons handling the ball, watch out. Korie can slice to the rack, drop those timely dimes, and he's sticky fingered as well. Korie had 22 steals in just about 12 minutes per game last year for Izzo's warriors, with more playing time in his future, and again, valuable experience, Korie should evolve into a well rounded defensive pest/offensive threat.

Behind every great team is an even greater coach. Tom Izzo is the man behind the scenes in East Lansing. Perhaps just as high profile as his team, Izzo is known as one of the elite in the coaching world, and his teams prove that year after year.

Izzo led his Spartans to Final Four apperances in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, and 2009. With an overall record of 336-137(.711 winning percentage), Izzo IS Spartan Basketball. Tom's a savvy recruiter and THE figure head of the MSU program. Izzo has earned himself 5 Big Ten Titles (1998,1999,2000,2001, and 2009), 5 Final Fours, a National Championship (2000), and a National Championship Runners up in 2009. Izzo is the dominate force that turns the wheels of one of the most dominate programs in the nation.

MSU boasts some the highest grade talent of any team which is proven by their no. 3 preseason ranking in the AP Poll. Keep your eyes and ears open for names such as Delvon Roe, Draymond Green, and Korie Luscious, some of our up and coming young guns.

As always, Kalin Lucas will be a threat, Durrell Summers dazzles as our version of the "Human Highlight Reel" ( Dominique Wilkins reference), and Chris Allen is known to hit 'em when they count.

The Spartans won the Big Ten Conference with relative ease last year, going 15-3, dominating the conference and winning by a 4 game margin over Purdue (11-7). Purdue received a nod as the favorite to win the Big Ten by many analysts and writers coming into the 2008-09 campaign. It seems that many have jumped on the MSU bandwagon, and they're picked to get it done in 09-10.

Michigan State had the hardest road through the tournament last year, Kansas, UConn, Louisville, and North Carolina. They have a relatively easy non conference schedule, but play nemesis (and new arch rival) North Carolina on December 1st, 2009.

Look for the men of Sparta to take the Big Ten for a second straight year and make a run at the National Title in 2010. Sparty on, go green, go white.

Big Ten prediciton : 1st, with a record of 14-4.