Key Returnees: G Kalin Lucas (2009 Big Ten Player of the Year), F Raymar Morgan, F Delvon Roe
Key Departures: G Travis Walton (2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year), F/C Goran Suton, F Marquise Gray
Recruits: C Garrick Sherman (Kenton, OH), C Derrick Nix (Detroit, MI), F Dion Sims (Orchard Lake, MI)
Biggest Need: Off-guard
2010 Outlook: The Spartans got as far as any team could without taking home any championship hardware, getting pummeled by North Carolina in the national championship game last month. Yet, the majority of their key pieces return next season and a trip to the Final Four in Indianapolis, another site in close proximity for Spartan fans, isn't out of the question.
Kalin Lucas was somewhat of a surprise pick for the conference's Player of the Year, but he proved he deserved that award after the NCAA Tournament he had. He's crazy good with the basketball and extremely quick, both traits coaches look for in a purebred point guard. He has complete command of his team at all times, and make no mistake, it is HIS team. He's a sure-fire lock for preseason all-Big Ten. Lucas could improve his shooting touch but there aren't too many areas of his game that need work.
Delvon Roe battled a knee injury during the early parts of the season and never looked to be fully healed from it. When 100%, Roe is a beast on the glass and a perfect low-post compliment for the barrage of shooters Michigan State will have on the wings. Expect him to be much more involved in the offensive and really blossom in his second year under Tom Izzo.
Raymar Morgan had a similar bout with pnemonia during the midway stages of the season and that seemed to slow him down. He's a much better player than he shows on the court and has got to improve consistency in order to be the second scoring option that the Spartans need him to be. He's got the athletic ability and basketball talent, but he has yet to put it all together. Could this be the year for him?
Travis Walton was the leader last year, but with his defensive grit gone, a gaping hole is left next to Lucas in the backcourt. Izzo has a few options to fill his spot, including Chris Allen, Durrell Summers and Korie Lucious. Allen is as streaky of a shooter as there is in the Big Ten, but he has unbelieveable range and a sweet-looking stroke from the arc. Summers is an athletic freak who loves to play above the rim. And Lucious is another speedy guard who grasped Michigan State's run-and-gun offense well in his freshman season. One of those three is likely to start with the other two being valuable backcourt weapons off the bench. My money is on Allen to start.
Michigan State is one of the nation's best rebounding teams and they'll need to find some bigger bodies down low to help maintain that edge. Suton and fellow big man Marquise Gray are gone, but they bring in two vastly different centers to help replace them. Garrick Sherman (6'10", 225) is longer and leaner while Derrick Nix (6'9", 275) is stronger and bulkier. They probably won't go exclusively with the 6'8" Roe, though it would allow them to get out and run even more with a three-guard offense.
Izzo has some options to tweak his starting lineup, but expect the Spartans to turn their basketball games into a sprinting contest. They are most fluid when they are on the run with their frantic style and most teams, especially in the Big Ten, simply cannot keep up with their athletes. They'll be the favorites to win the Big Ten come October; whether they do is a different story. But make no mistake, Michigan State will be dancing once again in March and if this past season was any indication, they are likely to go far once again.
Next Up: Purdue
Photo: StilletoSetSports.com
No comments:
Post a Comment