Spartan Hoopla: MSU's Raymar Morgan Is Method To Izzo's March Madness

The Big Ten season is winding to a close and the Michigan State Spartans need to run their remaining two-game schedule (Penn State and Michigan) in order to secure at least a chunk of the Big Ten's title pie.

Tom Izzo's Spartans started out on a school record pace of 9-0, but then the injury bug bit arguably their best player; point guard Kalin Lucas.

Lucas was and is the key to a regular season title, that's not in question. He's been the heart and soul of Spartan basketball in 2009-10, and he'll be one of the Sparty's key components in the upcoming race for a national title.

To point to Lucas as the main ingredient in Izzo's March Madness recipe would be, well, just "too easy."

Sure his team-leading 15 points per game are valuable.

Sure his maniacal speed is menacing for defenders.

And there's no doubt that his patented game-icing ability has afforded the Izzo clan great success.

Putting the the 12th-ranked Spartans (22-7,12-4) under a microscope will bring its true bracket busting player to the surface; allowing all to see who has the potential to lead Michigan State to its sixth Final Four since 1999.

Who is that green and white-clad warrior?

It's none other than Raymar Morgan.

Morgan, the 6'8" 230-pound senior out of Canton, Ohio has what it takes to put the halt to opponents' Final Four dreams.

He's scoring just over 10 points per game (10.5) and pulling down six rebounds per contest, but those stats just barely scratch the surface. Pair his athletic ability with the desire to end his career on a positive note, will make him one of the tournament's more exciting players to watch.

Beyond the numbers, the "captain" has a legacy to seal in regards to Spartan basketball, and that will ultimately be his driving force come go-time.

Morgan's double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds) against Purdue last Sunday could be a glimpse into his play in March—he can take a game over when needed. Morgan can also run the floor, bang in the paint with the big boys, and he has the skill to stretch a defense.

Those facets of his game are what makes Morgan so valuable.

Dependent almost solely on its guard-play, Michigan State has to become more than a one-trick pony if it wants to reach the Final Four.

In the past, players like Mateen Cleaves have been able to carry the team to glory, but there was always a counterpart to help along the way. Cleaves' right-hand man was Morris Peterson, and Morgan needs to be the "Mo-Pete" to Lucas' "Mateen" this year.

If the saying is true, "the captain makes it happen," hold tight Spartan fans. The 6'8" senior out of may end up giving one heck of a farewell performance.