Spartan Hoopla: Will Lack of Size Hurt Michigan State in March Madness?

Tom Izzo's Spartans seem to be an en-vogue upset pick in this year's calamity known simply as March Madness.

The lack of consistency, family atmosphere and leadership are all reasons why pundits, fans and analysts are forecasting a pre-Final Four exit for MSU.

There is logic behind those predictions; Michigan State is in arguably the most taxing of regions in this season's maniacal tournament for all the marbles.

Kansas, Maryland, (underrated and overlooked) Houston and Tennessee; are just a few that are slated to compete in the Midwest's murderous bracket.

There's also this team from our nation's capitol: the Georgetown Hoyas. Word is that they're supposed to be an okay group (Greg Monroe and Chris Wright anyone?).

Before dubbing the Izzo clan an upset-in-the-making, check Michigan State's resume. We all know it, but here's a brief recap:

T hirteen straight tournament appearances, five Final Fours, one national championship. A handful of (six) Big Ten regular season titles and two conference playoff banners.

March is Izzo's month (Beware the Ides? No. Beware the Izzo of March).

Throw all the distractions aside and you're left with the one constant of Spartan basketball: Mr. Final Four himself (Tom Izzo).

Another factor that seems to be popular for those counting Sparty out is size—and the lack of it.

Granted, Michigan State may lack the traditional big-men it had in last year's bracket-fest.

There's no Goran Suton or Marquise Gray—will that be a problem or will the current "bigs" be enough?

Draymond Green may not be the biggest guy in the world, but you'll be hard-pressed to find another player his size that can be as physical as he can. Green is a playmaker with soft hands, an accurate passing game and an extremely high basketball I.Q.

That's not something you find everyday in a guy of his stature.

Green is 6'6" and 235 pounds of hustle—and he's got another year of maturity under his belt.

Delvon Roe can't be described as towering, but he can be described as a gamer. Roe has had knee problems which have hindered his body-to-body style of play this year, but believe he's going to give it his all come game time.

Roe is 6'8" and 230 pounds. His solid physique is nothing but muscle—but it may be his heart, not his biceps or quads that is his strongest muscle. Watch out, Roe isn't afraid to mix it up.

Finally, there are the two freshman; Derrick Nix and Garrick Sherman.

Izzo has let his young pups clock in some valuable minutes in an effort to get them acclimated for big games.

Nix is a wide-body.

He fits his old high school team's nickname: Detroit Pershing Doughboys.

He's lost weight, gained some footwork technique and he has great hands. Soft hands, that many bigs just don't seem to possess.

At 6'8", 280 pounds, Nix will have to up his level to help the Spartans stay competitive. After all, most say that State will end up in the Sweet 16 against Kansas—that means Nix will have duties against Cole Aldrich.

Sherman, also known as the "Sherminator," is the only guy in green and white that resembles a true center. He's 6'10", has added improved touch since the beginning of the year, and he's durable. The Sherminator matches Alrdich in height, but maybe not in fight—we'll see.

All of the bigs will have to blanket Aldrich—he's that good.

Bobby Knight called him one of the most complete players he's ever seen. That is saying a lot—Knight has seen his fair share of great hoopers.

If Michigan State wishes to proves its critics wrong, the big-men will have to do the dirty work.

Kalin Lucas alone can't lead MSU to the Final Four.

Raymar Morgan has been spectacular in his final games as a Spartan—he is going to have be a key contributor as well.

Sparty's diesel power is what will get it through the tournament—physical Big Ten, bangin' in the paint, elbow-to-rib style.

Great guard-play can get a team to the Final Four, a deep bench and available grinders will win a championship.

Michigan State has all the bases covered, so we'll see what happens.