Big Ten Team Preview: Michigan State Spartans

By Ryan Bramwell

Breakdown

• 2011-2012: 29-8 (13-5)
• Postseason:  Sweet 16 (Loss vs. Louisville, 57-44)
• Coach: Tom Izzo (18^th year)

Situation:

• Gone: Draymond Green, Austin Thornton, Brandon Wood
• Back: Keith Appling, Branden Dawson, Adreian Payne, Derrick Nix, Travis Trice
• New:  Garry Harris, Denzel Valentine, Kenny Kaminski, Matt Costello

Returning Numbers:

• MIN – 58.4%
• PTS – 59.6%
• PM – 43.2%
• REB – 49.3%
• AST – 47.4%

Returning Leaders:

• MPG – Appling (30.8), Dawson (20.6), Nix (18.9), Payne (17.9), Trice (17.2)
• PPG – Appling (11.4), Dawson (8.4), Nix (8.1), Payne (7.0)
• RPG – Dawson (4.5), Payne (4.2), Nix (3.8), Appling (2.9)

 

Key Players:

• Keith Appling
• Gary Harris
• Branden Dawson
• Adreian Payne & Derrick Nix
• Travis Trice

Keys to Success:

• Leadership and all-around play of Appling
• Gary Harris delivering what is expected
• Dominance from the down-low combo of Nix and Payne
• Dawson shows he has fully recovered from his knee injury
• Trice and the incoming class provide consistent and reliable depth
• Coming out of their tough non-conference schedule in good shape

Projected Starting Lineup

• PG – Keith Appling
• SG – Gary Harris
• SF – Branden Dawson
• PF – Adreian Payne
• C – Derrick Nix

Blue Ribbon Grades:

• Backcourt: A-
• Frontcourt: B
• Bench/Depth: B+
• Intangibles: A-

Preview Links:

• Black Shoe Diaries
• Inside the Hall
• Blue Ribbon at ESPN
• Bleacher Report
• Rant Sports

ESPN Team Page:

• Spartans Basketball

My Prediction

• 13-5, 4^th place