Michigan State Spartans (2008-2009) Men's Basketball Preview

Last season, the Michigan State Spartans looked pretty good. They had almost thirty wins, and finished well in the formidable Big Ten's standings. Okay, so they looked really good. That is, until they were embarrassed by the Memphis Tigers in the round of sixteen in last year's NCAA Tournament. So how much could they have improved by this season?

According to the Associated Press's preseason top 25 poll, quite a lot. They come in at number six nationwide, and number one in the Big Ten conference. So, why and how have they supposedly improved so much?

First, they are deep. Really deep. They have a bench stacked with capable young players. So, if worse comes to worst, they will be able to plug along and withstand nearly any blow. Second, despite the fact that they have no obvious college superstars right now, they are solid all over the floor. According to foxsports.com, guard Kalin Lucas has become an excellent team leader on the floor, and will make plays happen. State also has two sophomore guards, Chris Allen and Durrell Summers, who are both quick and have some good experience. Sportswriter Jeff Goodman also says that they are better than they appear down low. Goran Suton, a senior center, has some serious experience pulling down boards on the post. And freshman forward Delvon Roe has been impressive, and will likely add some young spark to the team. The last player down low who will likely become a key leader is Raymar Morgan. He has averaged 11 and 14 points per game playing only about 25 minutes per game the past two seasons. This team certainly suffers from no lack of options or talent.

Michigan State's true test will come early in the season. (December third, to be precise.) They will take on unanimous number one (as of Nov. 10) North Carolina. If they play a fast paced, aggressive game and be sure to include their deep bench and young players, they might have a real shot. But regardless of the outcome of that game, expect to be seeing a lot of Michigan State when it really matters: in March.