People forget that Neitzel averaged better than 30 points a game in high school, even though teams knew that he was his team's primary scorer and were adjusting their defenses for him. He hasn't scored in the past because Izzo demands that his point guards pass first.

I don't see MSU contending for the national title this year, but I can't understand why SI doesn't even see them in the tournament at season's end. Defense alone will carry them there, and the freshmen and sophomores are only going to get better as they learn Izzo's system.

Everyone under-estimates MSU this year and Tom Izzo fuels that by understating his team (as he always does). Actually though, Tom Izzo has a perfect team for his style of play - blue collar players all bought into the "team first, do whatever it takes, focus on fundamentals and toughness approach...". No prima donnas on this team - everyone bring their lunch pail to the gym. First rate character top to bottom - everyone will graduate. Sports Illustrated left MSU out of their pre-season 65 at the big dance - Watch MSU as they get their 10th (or 11th) consecutive big dance invite in March...

Don't sleep on the Sparty's!!!

In a year where all hype and no show is being paid to Ohio St, MSU can and maybe they will challenge for the Big Ten. Wisconson is good and IU, Michigan, Purdue, & Penn St will win some games, but it's a little early to say MSU is fighting for third.

I do believe they have other scoring options & they are stronger in the middle than they were before Paul Davis. Collectively they have gone back to Izzo bball controling the boards and providing tough interior D.

Last time Tom Izzo was expected to have a down year...was Mateen Cleaves freshman year...when they won the Big Ten.

Top 5 coach in America...

I noticed you did not have MSU in the tournament... care to change your picks. They will finish in the top 4 of the conference.

If Morgan can keep out of foul trouble and stay in games, State will be steady.

Neitzel goes out and things could get ugly.

Good win by the Spartans, nice passing and gameplan.

Michigan State is consistently underrated by the media in years considered to be "rebuilding" years for the team. However, what everyone fails to remember is that 1. this team is always coached by Tom Izzo, who never fails to produce defensive rebounding teams, and 2. MSU tends to exceed expectations more in the years where expectations for them are low.

So, as a Michigan State student, Izzone member, and diehard Spartan fan, I say, please, keep underestimating my team - and watch them prove you wrong time and time again.

But...I thought Michigan State wasn't going to make the NCAA's this year?

The moral of this story is - never bet against one of the three best coaches in college basketball.

Yet another reason why rankings should not start until January.

I watched the game lst night, too.

I haven't seen anyone yet mention the importance of Michigan State's bench. When State does substitute, they don't experience as much of a dropoff as many teams do. That's onereason why Tom Izzo so willingly plays 8 to 10 players in just about every game.

Notice the difference in production from the bench last night. It's one of the reasons why State won. One of the turning points, in fact, was the few minutes that Idong Ibok played played. In that stretch, he blocked 3 shots, and that, I think, changed the game.

Luke
Great point about Raymar Morgan---I he may have outplayed Durant by just a touch. ESPN spent way too much time on the hype machine with Durant. He's going to be great, but it was like they had no other information on the other players, both on MSU and Texas. Abrams and Augustin's efforts were outstanding, but all we heard about from the unprepared announcers was about Durant. MSU surprised me last night with their balance. This Raymar Morgan kid could really make a difference this year.

I was watching the game last night and I really liked the way Raymar Morgan played and Kevin Durant played. I always say that if you "live by the three then you die by the three," but it seemed as though that both teams struggled to find an inside game. It also seems as though if the Spartans can teach Raymar to stay inside and if Neitzel can continue to be a floor leader then the spartans will be good down the road. Now Texas seems to be very active and aggressive which is good but they seem to lack the discipline when it comes to defense. I liked the way that Augustin runs the floor and they need to continue to run their opponents out of the gym. Durant has good touch, once texas continues to play the full court game rather than the half court then texas will be fun to watch in March. When the Spartans decide not to rely on the three and work the game inside then they will be fun to watch in March.

I see you've given MSU some props, but how about Maryland trashing St. John's? St. John's isn't Texas, but I think when this little tourney is done Maryland will be on top.

Rick Barnes said it himself, they lost the game because Michigan State was better on the boards. Remember that MSU has always based their best teams off of being tougher and better rebounders than their competition. If you look at this team you see exactly the kind of team that Izzo wants. A team that will beat you up and fight til the end. Whoever decided to leave them out of the NCAA tourney has no idea what they are talking about. With Tom Izzo as coach MSU has done nothing but win year after year and year after year go to the tourney. So why would this year be any different. State is going to win again this year and again they will be in the tourney and all the people who left them out will just look like they have no idea what they are talking about.

We passed on our season tickets this year at the Breslin, we thought it looked to be a down year anyway. We've been spoiled with a ton of great ball in that place, Big Ten Champs, Nat'l Champs. It was a good run. If they can continue to build on that win over Texas, "down year" may be the wrong term for this team. "Overachievement" would be a welcome fit. With Izzo at the helm, you know that is possible. Anyone have any tickets for sale?

Don't ever put women's hoops on your college hoops page again...thank you.