Spartan Hoopla's Early Michigan State Basketball Forecast For 2010-11

Michigan State basketball is more than just a seasonal interest, it's something that concerns its supporters around the clock.

Even though summer is barely upon us, it's never too early to speculate on next year's session on the hardwood.

With Tom Izzo's next class of superior recruits coming in, many are scratching their heads in wonder.

Who, if anyone, has the ability to make an instant contribution?

Where will they fit into the current scheme?

Detroit Pershing's 2010 Mr. Basketball himself, Keith Appling, is perhaps one of the most exciting newcomers since Durrell Summers.

Appling is coming off a stellar prep career, and has high expectations placed on his young shoulders.

As a junior, he scored a Michigan High School Athletic Association title game record of 49 points against Kalamazoo Central to give the Doughboys their first banner since 1993.

Appling averaged 28 points per contest as a senior, and won the Mr. Basketball ballot by a landslide.

The 6'2", 180-pound shooting guard possesses all the necessary skills to be an immediate contributor to Izzo's roster.

With the future of guard Chris Allen still in limbo, Appling might be looking at a starting job as soon as he arrives in East Lansing.

When it comes to big men, MSU doesn't have a prototype in its arsenal.

What the Spartans have are four players capable of filling the void now that Tom Herzog made the move to Central Florida a month ago.

Herzog, who was Izzo's only seven-plus footer, didn't see much playing time. But he was a bonafide tree.

Garrick Sherman, who is as close to a legit big man that Izzo has, showed improvement during the tail end of the Big Ten season. He also made strides during the NCAA Tournament.

The 6'10" Ohio native has to convert the easy buckets and learn to play up to Izzo's gritty, physical standards. With a year of college ball under his belt, he should be better adjusted come 2010-11.

Draymond Green showed that he can play three positions. He dabbled in the paint as a center at times, occupied his normal forward spot, and even developed his point guard (forward) game.

Delvon Roe, who is beyond physically gifted, will have a new set of knees to work with come early winter.

Derrick Nix has dropped weight, and has learned to use his feet.

Where will incoming freshman Adreian Payne factor into the equation?

He's 6'10", his stature is imposing with incredible length, and he's exceptionally instinctive in the paint.

What more could you ask for?

The issues of shooting-guard and having a big man are likely two problems Izzo will look to solve in the offseason.

He may look no further than Payne and Appling to fill those needs quicker than initially anticipated.