Spartan Basketball getting better...

Sports Illustrated article on the Spartans is below, along with their 5 minute NCAA guide..  You need to go out and get this copy for a primer on all of the teams… Good reference issue….

But the article on MSU they have allowed us to use on the Blog.. Nice guys !  I’ll renew my subscription

They have Kalin on the #2 All-American team, and  agree with their assessment that Raymar is key.. but  can he over come the injuries ?     I think so.. the young man is tough, he is like Super Man out there...

S.I. has the BEST photos…  what a place it must be to work... must be like the crazy ESPN ads on TV.. Sure, the same, only different.....

Some of the SpartyMSU thoughts on the  2009 / 2010 team follows….

Spartan Basketball is only getting better..  Spartans are possibly the best team in the last decade. And with the players they are recruiting.. I see no slowing them down...

This year, they play two  top 10 teams even before conference play begins… Play anyone, any where , any time… feel what  its like to be in very hostile environments with top talent ,before conference play and before March Madness begins…

National Championship rematch at  #6 N.C.  Dec, 1….  At #3 Texas, Dec. 22…

On top of that…   Six of the Big Ten teams are in the Top 25.. I’m afraid of the conference beating itself up all year, eating its own young, and scarring some good teams from entering into the Big Dance..  If the Spartans make it through, they are in mentally good shape for the tournament… ..  It worked in the past, last year they beat two  #1 seeds.. only losing to the third in the finals.. North Carolina…
See the SpartyMSU.com Weekly Big Ten Rankings…

Kalin Lucas: Junior.. He is the Man, it is his team.  What a Ball handler he is and floor General.. but who is starting to shadow him… be the apprentice  ???  He will continue to push and lead his team mates, its good to see that Izzo and K are on the same page through out the games… he is Izzo on the floor. He Number 1 in minutes played and Number 1 in scoring so far.. Dead nuts on the free throw line…

Durrell Summers: Junior:.. Did you see him against Gonzaga in the second half. Wow..  Zaga is a quality team deserving of a top 25 ranking. Durrell was a pure athlete animal out there, falling on his ass, getting a shot off and draining it.  Hes shooting 67% right now. Hes the Hot hand…

Raymar Morgan: Senior..if he can stay healthy this year, his ankle heals. The sky is the limit for him. We have not seen his best yet. Like Groan carried the team on his back last year.. its possible he could be this years Sutton.   Hope he stays healthy for his and the teams hopes.

Delvon Roe:  Soph..I see flashes of extreme brilliance in play, and then slight lapses.  He easily could follow and fill Raymar’s shoes since he graduates this year. Mrs. SpartyMSU likes him best..  We have not seen all of his potential yet…

Chris Allen: Junior..Hes just a solid, talented young man, does a Yeoman’s service for the team. We would be a lesser group without him. Not a flashy super star.. more Steve Yzerman Wayne Gretzky.

Draymond Green: Soph..This guy has G-U-T-S !  Wow, he is a presence.  Watching him in the final Four last year, and against Zaga.  Needs to work on his free throws a bit.  Leads the team in rebounds at 20 so far…

And at Center:  we have a whole host of guys… Herzog, Nix, Sherman, Ianni….  I like them all….  But Freshman Nix might just move the head of the pack… This position is most confusing for me… Hmmm.. need to see more games / beers before a comment…


Coach Tom Izzo:  What can anyone say… He is the BEST coach in the USA today.  His team is a family… And nobody touches his resume that he gives to his players….  Izzo and Magic Johnson have put MSU on the Basketball map.  I sat 2 seats from him at graduation ceremonies, even though he seems to be a common , regular, even keel type of guy, I couldn't bring myself to say hello...... He is as impressive a person as he is on TV... Missed my shot... Hopefull I'll get another chance to meet him.

Since '97/'98....
1 NCAA Championship
2 Finals appearances
5 Final Fours
6 Great Eights
8 Sweet Sixteen appearances

Clearly they are headed deep into the tourney, just need to get by all of these top 20 marquee matchups in the regular season, both in and out of the Big Ten...

Its going to be a good year at the Breslin !

Sparty On !!!