IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Keith Appling’s four crucial free throws Thursday night weren’t nearly as exciting as his late basket in Michigan State’s win over Kansas back in November.

Still, Appling showed why the little things make all the difference between winning and losing on the road in the Big Ten.

Branden Dawson scored a career-high 17 points, including a late steal and tiebreaking dunk, and Appling went 4 for 4 from the line in the final 20 seconds as the 22nd-ranked Spartans sneaked past Iowa 62-59.

Gary Harris added 14 points despite hurting his left shoulder in the first half for the Spartans (13-3, 2-1), who hung on for their eighth win in nine games.

“There’s a lot of things we need to get better at. But that was a big win on the road, especially the way we played,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.

Dawson provided the game-changing play when he ripped the ball away from Iowa freshman Mike Gesell and gave Michigan State a 58-56 lead with 49 seconds left.

But Appling, whose acrobatic layup with 14 seconds left beat the Jayhawks two months ago, provided the buffer with four straight from the foul line.

“I said, ‘Keith, it’s going to be like Kansas. I’m putting it in your hands. You’ve got to make some decisions,’” Izzo said.

By contrast, Hawkeyes freshman Anthony Clemmons missed a free throw that would have tied it with 12 seconds to go. He also airballed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as Iowa (11-5, 0-3) lost its third straight.

The Hawkeyes were short-handed without Devyn Marble — and none too pleased about Michigan State’s 21-15 edge at the free throw line.

Zach McCabe led Iowa with 15 points and fellow reserve Melsahn Basabe added 14. But the Hawkeyes could’ve used a healthy Marble, who is sixth in the Big Ten with 15.5 points a game.

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said Marble, who sprained his ankle this week in practice, is “iffy” for Sunday’s game at Northwestern.

“It was tough offensively to get into the kind of rhythm we needed. They are a very physical team defensively, and we needed a guy who can break his man down and get to the rim and get to the free throw line. Of course, I don’t know if anyone would have gotten to the free throw line most of the night,” McCaffery said.

For whatever reason, Michigan State and Iowa have made a habit of teaming up for some ugly basketball in recent years.

The play was brutal at times on Thursday.

The Spartans and Hawkeyes slogged through a series of sloppy possessions early in the second half, with Michigan State slowly chipping away at Iowa’s slim lead.

The Spartans finally took their first lead, 43-42, on a nifty layup by Appling off yet another Iowa turnover with just under 9 minutes left. Harris followed with a 3, and Adreian Payne drove the lane and threw down an emphatic one-handed dunk to put the Spartans ahead 48-45 with 6:15 left.

Michigan State blew the lead but tied it back up at 56 on Harris’ three free throws with 1:04 left.

Appling had 12 points for Michigan State, which forced 18 turnovers.

McCaffery openly questioned his team’s effort following an embarrassing 95-67 loss at Michigan last Sunday. The Hawkeyes got the message, but simply couldn’t sustain their early energy.

Iowa opened with a 7-0 run and hit nine of its first 12 shots in building an early 10-point advantage. Aaron White — whose poor defense against the Wolverines was a particular sore spot for McCaffery — then jumped a passing lane for a transition dunk and a 24-12 lead.

White had 11 points. But the Hawkeyes shot just 4 of 16 from 3-point range and let Michigan State get within 28-24 by halftime.

“We didn’t play with any toughness, and that’s disappointing. Offensively we played with no toughness whatsoever. Defensively we did. On the glass, we did. But you have the other end of the floor,” McCaffery said.

Michigan State has a pair of very winnable games coming up; Nebraska at home on Sunday and at Penn State next Wednesday, before a showdown with No. 15 Ohio State in East Lansing on Jan. 19.

But the Spartans know they can’t let up — even if the path seems clearer for a couple of weeks.

“It’s going to be like that every night, pretty much. We were able to reach down, fight through adversity and come out with the win,” Appling said.

____

Follow Luke Meredith on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LukeMeredithAP

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Big Ten basketball season is well underway and the moral of the story is: YOU CANNOT LOSE A GAME AT HOME EVER. Otherwise? Doom. The second storyline is Michigan State is about to embark on a schedule of doom and all of a sudden, everything is a MUST WIN. How is it a must win in January, you ask? Well, after splitting the first two games of the Big Ten schedule (loss at Minnesota, win vs. Purdue), MSU has a road test vs. Iowa before embarking on a schedule of doom in the Big Ten. Will they be out of the title chase if they lose tonight? No. But it will certainly not help their cause, especially because the last four games of the month involve Ohio Sate, trips to Wisconsin and Indiana (AH STOP), and home vs. Illinois.

Yikes.

But I digress.  The Purdue Boilermakers rolled into East Lansing on Saturday and I predicted a big win. Though I knew it would probably get scrappy, because that has been the theme of MSU vs. Purdue games of late, I thought the home court with give State the advantage. Besides, we just were not going to start Big Ten season o-2. Not an option. And, like I said above, we just cannot lose a game at home. Good LORD is the Big Ten terrifying.

Let’s check out the Boat!

Captain: Mr. Gary Harris. How could it be anyone else? After being challenged to play more aggressively, Gary took it upon himself to give everything he had when Purdue rolled into the Breslin Center on Saturday.  And boy, did he ever show up.  Playing the best game I’ve seen in his young Spartan career, Gar ended with a career high 22 points and was on fire from three point range. We learned after the game that Gary has TWO bad shoulders that just randomly pop out (quite concerning – get that kid some bubble wrap), but it didn’t seem to hamper his performance in the least. He clearly had the hot hand and was a major reason why the Spartans ended up with an 84-61 victory over the Boilermakers.  Welcome to the captaincy, Gary. Enjoy the ride.

Co-First Mates: Keith Appling and Trizzle “The Mask” Trice. Let’s start with Keith. Our steady, but quiet leader, Keith showed that he doesn’t always need to be the leading scorer for the Spartans to end with the W. He ended the day with 6 points (meh), 8 assists (YES), and only one turnover (HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). He clearly noticed the game Harris was having and knew it was best to get out of the way. Instead of forcing shots and feeling as though he had to score, Keith showed why he’s our point guard (though still not his natural position) and made crisp passes and smooth plays to keep the team ahead.

Trizzle. Heart you. Sarah and I both have fallen head over heels for Trice. I love watching him play! He always looks like he’s having a great time, is willing to learn, and looks great in his tiny mask (sports analysis). Trizzle scored a solid 12 points with four rebounds and 2 assists. Trice also had a hand in the pivotal series that launched MSU on its game winning run. If you recall, Trizzle was involved in a run-in with Anthony Johnson under the basket. It was originally called a foul on Trice, but then a dead ball technical was called on Purdue. Trice made both free throws and BAM. Win.

Ship Security: Branden Dawson. The goal for the Spartans should be to convince Dawson that all remaining games are going to be against Purdue. Since he was recruited heavily by the Boilermakers, every game he plays against them makes the Purdue faithful more and more salty about the missed chance. He’s feisty, he’s chatty, and he brings the shit talk to another level when Purdue is involved. Though the first half left a lot to be desired for Mr. Dawson (UM, hello. Less lay ups, more dunks please), Branden stepped up and ramped up his play. He ended the game with 14 points and an astonishing 11 rebounds that mirrored his aggressive defense for much of the game. Unfortunately, his passion lead to a situation that we will hereby dub Punch-Gate. As I’m sure you have heard, Dawson was accused of punching Purdue’s Travis Carroll late in the game.  MSU reviewed the video, the Big Ten reviewed the video and Dawson was not punished because HE DID NOT PUNCH CARROLL. Bottom line. I know Purdue fans are so up in arms over this, but you’ve got to move on. If you look closely, Dawson gets up off the ground, shakes off Carroll’s arm and punches himself in the chest. I’m not saying Branden Dawson is the incredible Hulk, but don’t you think that if he had actually punched Carroll, that the kid would have SOLD IT? You’re telling me he got punched and just stood there and took it? Nope. Not buying it. Not after how chippy that game had been. Bottom line: there wasn’t a punch. Let’s move forward…and the game Feb. 9 at Purdue is going to be nutty.

Rough Seas Ahead!

Crow’s Nest Status: Adreian Payne and Denzel Valentine. Sarah and I had a lengthy discussion about the ceiling of Denzel Valentine. He has progressed much further and quicker than we had thought. He has some issues with turnovers, but I believe it’s due to his aggressive nature of play. If he keeps up the high level of defense and drives to the basket, he’s going to be a huge asset. He scored a great 11 points, had an amazing 5 rebounds, and four assists. He did have 4 turnovers, but again, that will be fixed with a bit more time.

I will admit that I’ve had low expectations for Payne this year, but I’ve been surprised thus far. He was dialed in on Saturday and I felt as though he was EVERYWHERE and involved on every defensive play. He may have only ended with three points, but had 9 rebounds. Use those long arms buddy and you’ll continue to be a strength for this team.

Swab the Deck! Derrick Nix. Look. I celebrated Nix-mas after the Texas game. I actually find him more endearing this year and I really, really want him to do well. I guess I just always feel like he should try harder! He tied Valentine with five rebounds, but I want him to be stronger to the basket and his drives down low. He’s giant and should absolutely be using that more to his advantage. Just keep up the work, Derrrick. We’ll get there.

TO THE ICEBERG: Russell Byrd. During the game, I proposed a Russell Byrd for DJ Byrd trade. No one accepted it, but SERIOUSLY. I know that people want him to do well. I WANTED HIM TO DO WELL. But how long is it before we just decide that it’s not worth it and it’s time to move on? Breaking up is hard to do but DAMN I have given you enough chances, Russ! To the iceberg. I can’t even look at you.

Sailing off into the Sunset: Brandan Kearney. Kearney announced his decision to transfer from Michigan State in December, a move that left Tom Izzo and the Spartans quite befuddled. I honestly thought that Kearney didn’t give himself enough time, especially as his playing time had increased to nearly 17 minutes a game. No he was not starting, but if you want to be a starter and you want to score more, than work harder. Izzo will reward those who work hard and play hard. Bottom line: the Spartans weren’t going to give Kearney more PT unless he earned it. Someone got in his ear, told him he was being wronged, and he listened. Good bye, sir. I’m sure he’ll end up at Iowa State with the rest of the transfers, because that’s just how it works these days.

What’s Next! Tonight Michigan State travels to Iowa to face the scrappy Hawkeyes.  Things are either REALLY good in Iowa, or REALLY bad. Remember the time when MSU scored like 36 points total and lost? Yeah, that was fun. I’m going to miss the beginning of the game, but Sarah will guide you via the Twitter. (Are you following us? @sports_squared DO IT) The game tips at 7 PM on ESPN2. Then, the Spartans return home to protect the Breslin vs. Nebraska at 6 PM on Sunday.  We’ll update the Boat after that.

GO GREEN!

1. Ray McCallum Jr., Detroit-Mercy – The Titans often fly under the radar, but McCallum should not. A truly gifted player.
2. Trey Burke, Michigan – As smooth as silk, Burke could be a first-team All-American.
3. Keith Appling, Michigan State – Watch. By the end of this season, he will emerge as the Spartans’ latest clutch player.

Minneapolis, MN – The Michigan State University Spartans fell to the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in their Big Ten Conference opener on Dec. 31 at Williams Arena.

The No. 9 Golden Gophers kept the lead 39-38 going into halftime and went on to defeat the No. 18 Spartans 76-63.

This was the Spartans’ first game without Guard Brandan Kearney since his decision to transfer was announced by Coach Tom Izzo on Dec. 28.

Guard Keith Appling led the Spartans with 15 points, 5 assists, and 1 rebound.

The Golden Gophers were led by Guard Andre Hollins with a game-high 22 points, 6 assists, and 2 rebounds and Forward Trevor Mbakwe with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Even though the Spartans have been shooting over 70 percent from line throughout the season, they were 2-10 in free throws while the Gophers were 13-22.

Michigan State certainly cannot be counted out as they are a powerful and talented team who work well together. This loss does not define their season and fans can only hope that this serves as motivation for their upcoming games.

The Spartans will face the Golden Gophers again on Feb. 6, 2013 in East Lansing, MI.

The Big Ten Conference has just begun and with six ranked teams, any Big Ten fan can expect an exciting season no matter which teams are matched up.

Scores and upcoming games

No. 5 Indiana defeated Iowa 69-65 on Dec. 31 in Iowa City, IA.

No. 8 Ohio State defeated Nebraska 70-44 in Columbus, OH and Purdue upset No. 11 Illinois 68-61 in West Lafayette, IN on Jan. 2.

No. 2 Michigan faces Northwestern in Evanston, IL and Penn State faces Wisconsin in Madison, WI on Jan. 3.

These games conclude the Big Ten teams’ first conference game of the season.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Spartans were charging, but the Golden Gophers steeled itself against the Michigan State surge and just started hitting back.

Andre Hollins had 22 points and six assists and Rodney Williams added 15 points and six rebounds to lift No. 9 Minnesota to a 76-63 victory over No. 18 Michigan State on Monday.

Trevor Mbakwe had 11 points and 12 rebounds and the Gophers (13-1, 1-0 Big Ten) shot 56.6 percent to open conference play with an emphatic victory over a team that has owned them for years. This time Minnesota slammed the door with an 18-2 run over the final seven minutes in front of a euphoric Williams Arena crowd.

“We’re finally, I think,” Gophers coach Tubby Smith said, “growing up.”

Keith Appling had 15 points and five assists and Gary Harris scored 12 for the Spartans (11-3, 0-1), who had beaten Minnesota 13 of the last 15 times the two teams had met.

Austin Hollins scored 12 points and the Gophers withstood the inevitable run from the Spartans in the second half to beat them in the regular season for the first time since 2006.

“There’s so many big games, you’d like to steal one when you have a chance,” Spartans coach Tom Izzo said. “They played better than us down the stretch.”

Appling scored six points during an 11-0 run early in the second half that gave Michigan State a 55-51 lead, and a Gophers team that had shown more toughness and grit in the first 20 minutes than they had in the last four years started to crack.

The offense bogged down and the defense weakened, with Appling’s layup capping a 15-3 run that gave them a 59-54 lead with 9:23 to go.

The Gophers flinched, but they didn’t falter. They were the aggressors from there on out, getting the Spartans in foul trouble with they’re relentless attacking style.

Mbakwe threw down a dunk on a pretty feed from Joe Coleman, who then got a bucket on a goaltending violation by Adreian Payne. Andre Hollins finally knocked down a jumper for Minnesota’s first bucket in more than five and a half minutes and Hollins hit two free throws for a 64-61 lead with 5:33 to play. He then hit a pretty fall-away jumper from the baseline and the Gophers were off and running.

“We knew our history with Michigan State … We have leads and they come out and pull away in the last three minutes,” Mbakwe said. “But we wanted to take care of them and we wanted to hit them back and take care of homecourt.”

Just before tipoff, the Gophers climbed to No. 9 in The Associated Press Top 25, their highest ranking since they reached the Final Four in 1997, but this was the measuring stick. The Spartans had beaten them four straight times, with Izzo always prevailing.

This year, the Gophers brought their deepest and burliest team of the Tubby era into the Barn determined to prove that they’re not the softies that succumbed to the rigorous Big Ten schedule in recent seasons. They went 12-24 in Big Ten play over the last two seasons and have only posted two winning records in the conference since Bobby Jackson led them to the Final Four.

But Mbakwe was back in the starting lineup after missing last year with a torn ACL in his right knee, Andre Hollins had emerged as a top-flight playmaker on the perimeter and Williams was finally starting to harness his athleticism. The Gophers needed this one to set the right tone for contending in a conference that boasts six teams in the top 20 and four in the top nine.

“We’re a totally different team this year,” Williams said.

Minnesota came out firing in the early going, opening up a 12-point lead in the first 15 minutes, sending a charge through Williams Arena.

That’s when Smith went to his bench and Izzo made his move. The Spartans coach stayed with four starters and reserve Travis Trice, who keyed a 10-0 run to get them back in the game.

Derrick Nix had 10 points and five rebounds in a battle down low with Mbakwe that resembled a defensive end going at a left tackle.

“This is a game where you can come in here and get a good win against a quality team on the road, and it helps you out for later on down the road,” Trice said. “We lost one, but it’s a long season. We got to bounce back.”

It was a scene that has played out so many times before at Williams Arena, only this time something changed. Minnesota steeled itself against the Michigan State surge and just started hitting back. Maybe this is a different team after all.

Andre Hollins had 22 points and six assists and Rodney Williams added 15 points and six rebounds to lift No. 9 Minnesota to a 76-63 victory over No. 18 Michigan State on Monday.

Trevor Mbakwe had 11 points and 12 rebounds and the Gophers (13-1, 1-0 Big Ten) shot 56.6 percent to open conference play with an emphatic victory over a team that has owned them for years. This time Minnesota slammed the door with an 18-2 run over the final seven minutes in front of a euphoric Williams Arena crowd.

“We’re finally, I think,” Gophers coach Tubby Smith said, “growing up.”

Keith Appling had 15 points and five assists and Gary Harris scored 12 for the Spartans (11-3, 0-1), who had beaten Minnesota 13 of the last 15 times the two teams had met.

Austin Hollins scored 12 points and the Gophers withstood the inevitable run from the Spartans in the second half to beat them in the regular season for the first time since 2006.

“There’s so many big games, you’d like to steal one when you have a chance,” Spartans coach Tom Izzo said. “They played better than us down the stretch.”

Appling scored six points during an 11-0 run early in the second half that gave Michigan State a 55-51 lead, and a Gophers team that had shown more toughness and grit in the first 20 minutes than they had in the last four years started to crack.

The offense bogged down and the defense weakened, with Appling’s layup capping a 15-3 run that gave them a 59-54 lead with 9:23 to go.

The Gophers flinched, but they didn’t falter. They were the aggressors from there on out, getting the Spartans in foul trouble with they’re relentless attacking style.

Mbakwe threw down a dunk on a pretty feed from Joe Coleman, who then got a bucket on a goaltending violation by Adreian Payne. Andre Hollins finally knocked down a jumper for Minnesota’s first bucket in more than five and a half minutes and Hollins hit two free throws for a 64-61 lead with 5:33 to play. He then hit a pretty fall-away jumper from the baseline and the Gophers were off and running.

“We knew our history with Michigan State … We have leads and they come out and pull away in the last three minutes,” Mbakwe said. “But we wanted to take care of them and we wanted to hit them back and take care of homecourt.”

Just before tipoff, the Gophers climbed to No. 9 in The Associated Press Top 25, their highest ranking since they reached the Final Four in 1997. But this was the measuring stick. The Spartans had beaten them four straight times, with Izzo always prevailing thanks to a bigger, more physical and mentally tougher squad that was able to push the Gophers around.

This year, the Gophers brought their deepest and burliest team of the Tubby era into the Barn determined to prove that they’re not the softies that succumbed to the rigorous Big Ten schedule in recent seasons. They went 12-24 in Big Ten play over the last two seasons and have only posted two winning records in the conference since Bobby Jackson led them to the Final Four.

But Mbakwe was back in the starting lineup after missing last year with a torn ACL in his right knee, Andre Hollins had emerged as a top-flight playmaker on the perimeter and Williams was finally starting to harness his athleticism. The Gophers needed this one to set the right tone for contending in a conference that boasts six teams in the top 20 and four in the top nine.

“We’re a totally different team this year,” Williams said.

Minnesota came out firing in the early going, opening up a 12-point lead in the first 15 minutes, sending a charge through Williams Arena.

That’s when Smith went to his bench and Izzo made his move. The Spartans coach stayed with four starters and reserve Travis Trice, who keyed a 10-0 run to get them back in the game.

Derrick Nix had 10 points and five rebounds in a battle down low with Mbakwe that resembled a defensive end going at a left tackle.

“This is a game where you can come in here and get a good win against a quality team on the road, and it helps you out for later on down the road,” Trice said. “We lost one, but it’s a long season. We got to bounce back.”

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State gave its players another opportunity to relish.

Keith Appling matched a career high with 25 points to lead the 19th-ranked Spartans to a 92-56 win over Tuskegee on Saturday night at Jenison Field House, where the “Game of Change” was held during the 1963 NCAA tournament.

Michigan State opened the season on an Air Force base in Germany, a year after playing on an aircraft carrier in San Diego.

The Spartans (9-2) played their first game in their former home for hoops since 1989 — a decade after Magic Johnson called it his home court during a championship season — to celebrate an historic event staged in the same venue nearly a half-century ago.

“We’ve done a lot of neat things, but this kind of tops it all,” Appling said. “I’m glad we were able to be a part of it.”

Mississippi State, whose team had only white players at the time, defied a state prohibition against playing integrated teams to face Loyola of Chicago, which had four black starters, in East Lansing during the 1963 NCAA tournament. Loyola won the game en route to winning the NCAA title that year.

Those teams played for the first time since that NCAA tournament matchup on Saturday night in Chicago, where Loyola won 59-51, and players from the game that helped to change race relations on the court were honored at halftime.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said he had a verbal agreement from Loyola to play Saturday night at Jenison, but let the school out of the commitment when it had a chance to reunite with Mississippi State on the court.

Hollis then lined up Tuskegee for the game and gave Tuskegee Airmen and their families courtside seats. Some of the first black aviators in the U.S. military, who trained in Alabama at Tuskegee Institute, were given a standing ovation during the first timeout.

“It was kind of hair-raising on your arms,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.

Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, a 91-year-old Tuskegee Airmen, was thrilled to be among those honored by Michigan State officials, coaches, players and fans.

“They treated us exuberantly well,” Jefferson said after the game.

Hollis said the idea for the event was hatched when he saw the documentary “Game of Change” during the 2009 Final Four in Detroit. Hollis figured this season would be a good time to do it, nearly 50 years before the game was played at Michigan State.

Tuskegee coach Leon Douglas, a former NBA player, said both he and his players were unaware of the significance of the 1963 game until the school was invited to celebrate it and he educated himself and his players.

“It was really a milestone,” Douglas said.

Calvin Thomas scored 14 points and Javier McKinney had 12 for the Golden Tigers (1-5).

Michigan State uses Jenison for volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics and indoor track. It was converted back into a basketball venue, with the court and baskets brought over from the nearby Breslin Center, for an alumni game Friday night, Saturday’s game that followed a concert by The Commodores and a Michigan State women’s basketball game Sunday.

Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and Charlie Bell, stars from the 2000 national championship team, and Steve Smith were among the former Spartans who played in a game Friday night that was expected to include Johnson as one of the coaches. Johnson didn’t make it because he accepted an invitation to visit with President Barack Obama. Johnson apologized to his “MSU family and friends” for not attending the alumni basketball game on his Twitter account.

“We will open Jenison for another basketball game if Magic wants to play in a reunion game,” Hollis said.

Perhaps because the game was a side show of sorts, the Spartans got off to a slow start against Tuskegee. Michigan State led by two late in first half because the Spartans had 12 turnovers and made just 10 of 23 shots.

“I was worried about how we would perform and my worries came through in the first half,” Izzo said. “Thank goodness we bounced back.”

The Spartans, who led 33-26 at halftime, pulled away with a 17-4 run early in the second half to take a 53-35 lead.

Michigan State’s Adreian Payne had 12 points and 10 rebounds, Derrick Nix had 11 points and 13 rebounds, and Gary Harris added 10 points.

The Golden Tigers, a Division II program, were eventually overmatched after playing teams such as the University of Montevallo and Saint Leo.

“Division I teams play fast and physical,” Tuskegee’s Jacob Pettway said. “When we were on, we could stick with them.”

___

Follow Larry Lage on Twitter: http://twitter.com/larrylage

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Michigan State could not get into a groove. The team shot 40 percent behind Keith Appling‘s 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Branden Dawson had 11 points and four rebounds himself. With the loss, the Spartans drop to 5-2 on the season, snapping a five game win streak.

#13 MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (5-1) v. MIAMI HURRICANES (3-1)
BANKUNITED CENTER, CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012 @ 7:30 PM EST
TV: ESPN

So, It’s been awhile huh? Ashamed to say the Spartan’s struggles as of late have turned me into a bit of a literary recluse.

But now I’m back, and ready to talk MSU hoops as the Big Ten looks for its fourth straight B1G/ ACC Challenge victory (The B1G lost the first 10 to the ACC).

Coach Izzo has addressed this season his remorse in non-conference scheduling, basically to the tune of the ill effects trucking his guys around the world have had. Germany, East Lansing, Atlanta, East Lansing, and now Miami. In a poetic sense, it is also the mileage Izzo’s players are putting on the court as well that has Spartan Nation at direst. Specifically, Keith Appling, has worn some tread off his shoes early this season with the disappearance of Travis Trice and Gary Harris from the lineup due to injury. Still, no word yet has come from either guy’s status for this game. Along with th injury bug, the dreaded turnover monster has reared his ugly head into the equation and have kept guys like Alex Gauna, Russell Byrd, and Brandan Kearney off the court.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes and their pesky Head Coach Jim Larranaga haven’t even left the state this year. For those of you unaware, Larranaga was the head coach at George Mason University back in 2006 when they defeated Izzo in the NCAA tournament among college basketball’s titans.

For the Canes, it all starts and stops with Sophomore Guard Shane Larkin and Senior Forward Reggie Johnson averaging 17.3 and 11.7 points per game respectively. One of the larger teams MSU will face this season, Miami starts two 6 foot 5ers and two that top 6 foot 10.

Keys to Victory

• Payne and Nix need to stay out of foul trouble. Expecting to see extended minutes tonight from both big men, we’ll likely see them on the court at the same time tasked with defending and out-rebounding Miami’s Reggie Johnson and Kenny Kadji (between the two of them they’re averaging 19 rebounds per game). With no true suitable replacement for either man, this could get ugly if either has to leave the game with fouls.
• Turnovers < 20. For the past two games, MSU has tallied 20 turnovers a game. Alarmingly, it is a trend that has followed this year’s team. In this one, the chips are already stacked against the Spartans. Turnovers will kill the Green and White tonight against the Hurricanes.
• Keith Appling needs to continue leading the team in scoring. With the absence of Gary Harris still likely tonight, MSU loses his 16 points per game average. In his loss, Appling has stepped up and has been the team’s leading scorer. Keith is averaging 16.8 per game, and we need him to stay that way. Mark me down for saying that the magic number for Keith tonight is 18. Under 18, we lose. Over 18, we win.

Prediction

Keith goes for 20. Spartans win, but in a comeback effort. This game will look horrible in the first half. MSU 66, Miami 62.

The buzz about the top teams in the ACC came and went this summer without Miami being mentioned.

The chatter surrounding the conference was fixated on the upside of NC State, the balance of Duke, and the potential of North Carolina.

The Hurricanes couldn’t really be a contender at the top of the league, could they?

We’ll have a pretty good idea if that’s possible after Wednesday night when Miami hosts Michigan State as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

“Everyone here is aware of the magnitude of this game,” Hurricanes coach Jim Larranaga said on Tuesday. “We had a pep rally and our student body is really excited. Our band size will quadruple for this game, making it almost like a football-related event.”

Miami (3-1) played their first game of the season on Saturday with senior guard Durand Scott in the lineup. Scott missed the first three games of the season due a suspension but scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds in a 77-62 win over a solid Detroit team.

“He makes a huge difference,” Larranaga said of Scott. “He’s our leading scorer, (our) best perimeter defender and (our) energy guy.”

To beat the 13th-ranked Spartans, Miami will need big games out of their three frontcourt players – Julian Gamble, Kenny Kadji and Reggie Johnson, whom Larranaga said would return to the starting lineup against the Spartans after coming off the bench against Detroit.

“Michigan State is huge,” Larranaga said. “They’re a very big and strong team inside with (Derrick) Nix and (Adreian) Payne. They’re also getting great guard play from Keith Appling.”

It may be late November, but a victory over the Spartans could go a long way in the Hurricanes’ at-large resume for the NCAA Tournament. Miami already has suffered a bad loss when they fell at Florida Gulf Coast. A win against Michigan State, a team that is expected to be in the Top 25 for the duration of the season, could be pivotal down the road.

“Winning the game would be a huge boost to our RPI,” Larranaga said. “That’s the one thing you aim to build with your non-conference schedule, and that’s what we’re focused on.”

Can Miami pull off the upset against the Spartans? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below…

The 15th-ranked Spartans will see what their fast-rising junior can do next as they host Louisiana-Lafayette in the final game of the Spartan Showcase on Sunday.

Appling, who made a clutch three-point play in the final minute of a 74-70 win over Boise State on Nov. 20, followed up with a much-needed gutsy performance on Friday.

After limping off the court with a sprained right ankle late in the first half, the point guard shook it off to finish with 20 points and lead Michigan State (4-1) past Oakland 70-52.

“At first, I got scared,” Appling said. “That didn’t seem like an average ankle roll. After I calmed down and took a couple deep breaths, I was able to walk on it.”

Since the short-handed Spartans can’t afford to lose their top playmaker, Appling will continue to log heavy minutes as they look to sweep the Spartan Showcase on Sunday.

Appling has played 78 minutes out of necessity the past two games with guards Gary Harris (shoulder) and Travis Trice (concussion) both out of action.

“There’s some other great guards in this league,” coach Tom Izzo said. “Some do a lot on the offensive end, a couple are great defenders, he’s doing both and he’s doing it with no backup.”

CATCH THE REST OF THE STORY AT CBSSPORTS.COM

Captain: Keith Appling. Obviously. Dude played every minute against Boise State and came up absolutely clutch in both the Kansas and BSU games. Appling is showing that whatever confidence or maturity he lacked last year, he has found in spades this year. A big question going into this season was “Who will have the ball with the game on the line?” At this point, I think we’re pretty sure it’s Appling. His shooting has shown remarkable improvement, the ball handling is also much better, and his slashing to the basket is back to what we saw his freshman season. As Izzo said last night, Keith is a man out there.

Happy Thanksgiving!

First Mate: Denzel Valentine Full disclosure- this would likely be Gary Harris, or both Harris & Valentine if Harris was not in the Cornucopia of Healing (see below). BUT Valentine gets ALL the bonus points for greatly exceeding expectations. In a recruiting class who’s hype was largely dominated by Harris, Valentine slipped under the radar a bit, but he has come out and shown incredible poise and buckets of PG skill in his first four games. Dude is also HUGE and a great rebounder. Still shows some freshman jitters and mistakes, but his ability to drive the lane is remarkable, and again the level of poise for a player who’s   notched only four games at the college level is incredible.

Crow’s Nest: Brandan Dawson and Adreian Payne (not pictured, due to turkey) Both Payne and Dawson have been good so far. Both also have room for improvement. For Dawson, it’s his shooting (especially free throws). Payne needs to get his foul situation under control. These are two of the best pure athletes on the team, and having their contributions at a high level would really help propel this MSU team deep into March. I’m still a little curious about how recovered Dawson is- He looks great, but I think as his minutes pile up, he loses a bit. Here’s hoping Tommy and the coaching staff keep a close eye on the situation.  Also, both need to improve their rebounding- but after the Boise game that goes for the whole team.

Cornucopia of Healing: Travis Trice and Gary Harris If you follow us on Twitter (@sports_squared) you will know that we are the presidents of the Trizzle & Gar fan club. So we are beyond distraught that both of them are injured, and the potential for Harris’s injury to be long-lasting. Harris showed against UConn and Kansas why he was such a highly touted recruit, shooting well, and playing aggressively at both ends of the court. Before he got concussed against Kansas. Trice showed a lot of the pure PG skill he displayed last year, and the idea of having his excellent ball handling (and improved shooting) to spell Appling is enticing. Get well soon!

Swabbing the Deck: Russel Byrd and Derrick Nix I will be the FIRST to admit we have been very harsh on Derrick Nix in the past. BUT Nix is the only senior on this team, and the dude still has 4 post moves. He shoots the ball like it’s a boulder and rebounds it like it’s made of hot lava. Nix has been fine initially, but at 6’9″ and 300lbs (or whatever they’re listing him at these days) no one should be able to guard him. He should score in double-digits every night, from put-backs alone. When Keith Appling or Denzel Valentine has more rebounds than you, it’s time to step up your game.

Byrd….the eternal source of frustration for MSU fans at this point. I know it feels like he’s been on the team forever, but we (and everyone else) has to remember that he’s really only a sophomore who saw limited playing time as a freshman. HOWEVER when you are billed as “lights out shooter” if you miss back-to-back free throws, I am giving you some MAJOR side-eye. I honestly think Russel is just lacking in confidence at this point, but that’s not a good enough excuse to get him off deck-swabbing duty.

1. Indiana and Georgetown lived up to the hype.

The game of the day did not disappoint.  Indiana held a 7-point lead, the largest lead in regulation, heading into the final two minutes.  Georgetown responded with a 10-3 run to force overtime.  Indiana was able to put the game away in extra time and secure an 82-72 victory, but the first 40 minutes of this game were some of the best I have seen this year.

Markel Starks backed up his 23-point performance against UCLA with a game-high 20 points against the Hoosiers.  Otto Porter did his usual thing, filling the stat sheet with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.  He also took over at the end of the game, hitting a three-pointer to put his team down one with 30 seconds left and then muscling in a mid-range jumper to tie the game with the clock reading six seconds.

Foul differential caught up to Georgetown in overtime; 13 of Indiana’s 18 points came from the free throw line.  Freshman point guard Yogi Ferrell, who left the door open by missing two of three free throw attempts in the final minute of regulation, hit all four of his shots from the line in OT and added a dagger three-pointer with a minute left.  Cody Zeller struggled from the field, but finished 9-13 from the line and passed well against the Hoyas’ tough zone defense.

2. Butler gives Maui another shocker.

Butler beating #9 North Carolina was not shocking, but how Butler did it was.  The Bulldogs carried a 35-18 lead into halftime, had a 29-point lead at the 11:38 TV timeout in the second half and ended up winning 82-71.

Butler’s defense dominated in the first half and managed to stifle James Michael McAdoo for the entire game.  McAdoo scored 10 points on 11 shots, failed to get to the line and turned the ball over 7 times.  Offensively, Rotnei Clarke and Kellen Dunham bounced back from poor showings against Marquette to combine for 34 points, including 9-15 from behind the arc.

Butler still needs to improve against pressure defense.  Turnovers are the reason why UNC was able to get back into the game near the end despite the incredibly large lead that Butler had for most of the game.  That deficiency might catch up to the Bulldogs against Illinois tomorrow night.

3. The Maui Invitational had a terribly bad field.

Mississippi State looks like the worst power conference team in the nation, and it might not even be close.  Texas, blown out by Chaminade in round 1, and USC, blown out by Illinois in round 1, needed overtime to eclipse 100 total points.  Needless to say, I’m not excited to watch anything but the championship game of this tournament tomorrow.

4. Jayhawks look at home in Kansas City.

After destroying Washington State 78-41 the day before, Kansas toppled a feisty Saint Louis team 73-59 on Tuesday night.  Kansas jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first half and the deficit never got back into single digits.  Travis Releford had only scored over 16 points once in his career before this mini trip.  He exceeded that number in both games, highlighted by a 21-point first half outburst against the Billikens.  Fellow senior Jeff Withey added 25 points and 7 blocks in that game.

5. Keith Appling is becoming a closer.

A week after closing off Kansas, Appling was surprisingly placed in a similar situation against Boise State.  With four minutes left and the game tied, Appling took over and scored eight points in the team’s final 7 possessions to earn his team a 74-70 win.  This included an and-one with 15 seconds left to put his team up by five and a free throw with eight seconds left to make it a two possession game.

Here’s a general recap of what I saw.  Look at the individual parts for a more in depth look at each of the games I watched.

Surprisingly good team of the marathon: Xavier

Xavier lost almost everything from its Sweet 16 team last year.  Butler added a pair of great shooters to a long team that won 22 games last year despite shooting 28% from behind the arc.

The game was never in doubt and Xavier won by 15.  Xavier featured a pair of long, face-up big men and a defensive tenacity that will keep it in most games during a tough Atlantic 10 season.

Surprisingly bad team of the marathon: West Virginia

You could’ve gone to bed by 1 in the morning and figured this one out.  Gonzaga is a very good team, but a Big East team has to look in the mirror when it gets dominated by 34 points.

What Huggins will see in that mirror is a team with no shot selection and no one on the perimeter to take control of the team.  Deniz Kilicli and Aaric Murray are a couple of the better big men that college basketball has to offer, but they can’t do anything if they aren’t given the opportunity to.

You should’ve stayed up for this: New Mexico’s comeback

New Mexico was down 14 points at halftime only to fight back against a good Davidson team and win by 5.

Play of the marathon: Massachusetts’ game winner

There was a bevy of incredible individual plays during the 24 hours, but Chaz Williams’ drive and dish to give UMass the win over Harvard was both impressive and of the upmost importance.

All-Marathon Team:

G Keith Appling, Michigan State – 19 points (6-9 FG, 3-3 3PT), 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 turnovers in win over Kansas

G Chaz Williams, Massachusetts – 12 points, 10 assists (3 turnovers), 3 steals in win over Harvard

G Kendall Williams, New Mexico - 17 points (13-14 FT), 6 rebounds, 7 assists (0 turnovers) in win over Davidson

G/F Scootie Randall, Temple – 31 points (10-19 FG, 5-12 3PT), 4 rebounds, 4 steals in win over Kent State

C Chris Obekpa, St. John’s – 7 points (3-6 FG), 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 8 blocks in win over Detroit

This year’s discovery:

C Vander Joaquim, Hawai’i – 20 points (8-13 FG) and 10 rebounds in win over Houston Baptist

1. Butler is unofficially welcomed to the Atlantic 10 with a 47-62 loss to Xavier.

Xavier lost all five of its players that averaged over 15 minutes per game last year.  Those five players accounted for 79% of Xavier’s points scored, 64% of its rebounds and 86% of its assists.  Needless to say, the product Xavier would be putting on the court was a major question mark.

It still is a major question, but we started to get some answers on Tuesday afternoon.  In large part, those answers came from players that were on the roster last year.  Xavier was led by its pair of senior big men, Jeff Robinson and Travis Taylor.  Robinson, a career role player, led the game with 17 points on 7-13 shooting and added 8 rebounds.  Taylor, a star at Monmouth before transferring to Xavier for his junior season, was right behind Robinson with 15 points on 7-10 shooting and a game-high 9 rebounds.

The one infusion to its roster that Xavier did receive is point guard Semaj Christon.  Christon was a very highly touted recruit and he displayed his playmaking ability in mass in his career debut.  He earned 27 minutes off the bench and recorded 8 assists, but also turned the ball over 5 times.

However, the most impressive performance of the afternoon belonged to Xavier’s team defense.  The Musketeers strangled Butler on the perimeter and beat them with strong one-on-one defense.  Butler fixed its biggest problem from last year by adding two highly regarded shooters, but it didn’t have a single player that could break down Xavier.

2. Michigan State slides by Kansas 67-64.

Both programs are known for their ability to develop players, but a handful of freshmen stole the show in the game of the night.

Gary Harris fueled MSU with 18 points after a disappointing debut against Connecticut.  Versatile forward Denzel Valentine didn’t score in 24 minutes, but was always around the ball, recorded 4 big assists and made a huge defensive play against Travis Releford near the end of the game.

Kansas was sparked by a pair of freshmen that were forced to sit out last year.  Ben McLemore provided 14 points while Jamari Traylor brought everything else, especially energy.  I didn’t think I would see anyone outwork Branden Dawson this year, but Traylor might have done just that.

For most of the game, these performances overshadowed the play of junior Keith Appling, who finished the night with 19 points on 6-9 shooting (3-3 from behind the arc), 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 turnovers.  Appling was praised for his leadership down the stretch and became the hero at the end of the game.

With Appling’s ability to penetrate, he will become one of the best guards in the country if he can shoot consistently.  He was 39-95 (41%) from deep in his freshman year alongside Kalin Lucas, but regressed to 24-96 (25%) last year when he was asked to handle the ball exclusively.

3. Duke knocks off Kentucky 75-68.

Kentucky’s freshmen did what they could.  Nerlens Noel, Alex Poythress and Archie Goodwin all scored over 16 points and showed flashes of the greatness we are used to seeing at Kentucky.

But Duke’s experience proved to be too much for the young Wildcats.  Mason Plumlee, handicapped by foul trouble for most of the game, worked Kentucky inside for 18 points.  Fellow senior Seth Curry displayed a surprisingly diverse offensive game, scoring 14 of his 23 points from inside the arc.

Despite these prolific offensive performances, it was the defensive play of Ryan Kelly that stood out to me.  Kyle Wiltjer made his first shot, a corner 3, early and it looked like he might repeat the 19-point performance he put up against Maryland in the season opener.  But Kelly got physical against the sharp shooting sophomore and Wiltjer only scored 2 more points the rest of the night.  Kelly was also forced to be Duke’s center for a portion of the game while Plumlee was out with foul trouble.

Part 1!

Part 2!

We want to take the time to recognize those who played in the 24 hour college basketball marathon and went above and beyond the average player. Those who are on these lists are either players who helped their team win or did what ever they could to keep their team in the game. Blaise and I had an awesome time with the Marathon and even though we lost sleep it is something we can always say we accomplished and and we can tell stories about it for years to come!

JOSH’S PICKS:

MVP of 24 Hour Marathon

Tony Snell – G/F, New Mexico Lobos

1st Team All Marathon

Keith Appling – G, Michigan St. Spartans

Kevin Pangos – G, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Tony Snell – G/F, New Mexico Lobos

Mason Plumlee – F, Duke Blue Devils

Vander Joaquim – C, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

2nd Team All Marathon

Jesse Morgan – G, Umass Minutemen

Seth Curry – G, Duke Blue Devils

D’Angelo Harrison – G, St. John’s Red Storm

Scootie Randall – F, Temple Owls

Ryan Broekhoff – F, Valparaiso  Crusaders

BLAISE’S PICKS:

MVP of 24 Hour Marathon

Scootie Randall – F, Temple Owls

1st Team All Marathon

Jesse Morgan – G, UMass Minutemen

Kevin Pangos – G, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Tony Snell – G/F, New Mexico Lobos

Scootie Randall – F, Temple Owls

Ryan Broekhoff – F, Valparaiso  Crusaders

2nd Team All Marathon

Seth Curry – G, Duke Blue Devils

Keith Appling – G, Michigan St. Spartans

D’Angelo Harrison – G, St. John’s Red Storm

Alex Poythress – F, Kentucky Wildcats

Vander Joaquim – C, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Kansas’ Travis Releford got a look from three-point range to tie the game but his shot failed. Releford had eight points and four assists. Ben McLemore got the game to within one point with a minute left but Appling answered. McLemore finished with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists.

(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Spartans defeated the Jayhawks 64-67, thanks to junior guard Keith Appling 5 points in the final minute of the game. Appling hit a 3 pointer that put them up 65-61 with a 1:38 on the clock then an up n under layup with the shot clock expiring that gave them the final 3-point lead with 16 seconds left. Appling finished the game with 19 points 3 assist, 3 steals, while going 3/3 from behind the 3 point line. Appling only averaged 11 points last year but I expect him to put up 15+ a game this season. See what an extra year can do for your game kids. The Spartans needed this win to avoid starting the season 0-2 and it wasn’t easy. Neither team had a lead larger than 5 points. This game had the same feel as their 62-66 loss to UConn a couple days ago in Germany but they didn’t give this one up. The Spartans also got big numbers from their freshman guard,Gary Harris, who dropped 18 on 7/12 shooting. What I wanted to see (and the verdict is still out on) is how the Spartans front court will hold up without Sparty legend Draymond Green. Senior Derrick Nix and junior Adreian Payne combined will have to fill those shoes. Against Kansas they combined for 12 points 16 rebounds and 4/12 from the field. Now that’s not a bad night but still have to do better especially Nix. Nix is the new leader of this team and he is on the verge of becoming a lottery pick but two straight poor shooting performances against good competition doesn’t look well on his resume. He did grab 5 offensive rebounds which is always a plus and I expect him to turn it up soon. Payne will be the enforcer down there, just like he was last year. He recorded 4 blocks in this game while only playing 17 minutes. These two together can be hard to contain as long as they both play their role. But if the guards keep playing like this they won’t have to do much.

(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Jayhawks should rethink playing in another Champions Classic because this is their 2nd straight loss in the 4 team classic. Last year they lost to Kentucky while we witness the arrival of Anthony Davis and this time they let another freshman shine on them. I know coach Bill Self is not feeling that. This year Self has 3 returning starters coming back but combined they only average 27 points last year. Not really something to get excited about but at least they have experience. Senior guard, Elijah Johnson, led them in scoring against the Spartans with 16 buckets along with 2 steals. Elijah is going to have to fill the shoes of Tyshawn Taylor but I don’t want to put that pressure on him. Tyshawn was a great player and even though I see the resemblance in their games, it’s one thing Elijah missing; he can’t transform into Tyshawn. The Jayhawks did get some solid minutes from their freshman guard, Ben McLenmore, who finished with 14 points, 3 boards, 3 dimes, 1 steal, and 1 block while going 5/7 from the field. Their other freshman, big man Perry Ellis, didn’t really have a good game, only 4 points and 3 rebounds, but I can see the potential in the big fella. I did expect to see more from senior big man, Jeff Withey ,who only scored 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Now last season Withey wasn’t known for his scoring, more known for his defense but my last memory of was him getting abused by Anthony Davis for the second time in the National Championship. YOU GOTTA DO BETTER JEFF.

#14 MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (0-0) v. CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (0-0)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, GERMANY
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012 @ 5:30 PM EST
TV: ESPN

With not a moment to spare, as the clouds settle over East Lansing and the darkness that has been the football season, Tom Izzo comes riding in like a god-damn white knight! It’s basketball season. So Maryland, keep your crab cakes and your football, cause around here, basketball is what we do!

Side note, that comes from Cabin in the Woods, which I just watched last night. Do yourself a favor and check it out. One of the best movies of 2012! (This message has been endorsed by Ryan Levin and the people over at Man in the Movie Hat)

Last year, it was the USS Carl Vinson. This year, the setting is Ramstein Air Base in Germany. You can’t make this stuff up. This one to settle a score among two of college basketball’s elite teams, MSU and UCONN who share a 2-2 overall record. Expect this one to be a dog fight between both point guards, Keith Appling for MSU vs. Shabazz Napier of UCONN.

When looking at the match-ups there appears to be an advantage towards the Green and White. Michigan State returns 3-4 of it’s starting 5 from last season where as UCONN will start only one (Napier) from last season’s team. MSU gets the square. Tom Izzo, returns for his 18th season at MSU with aspirations of conference supremacy and a shot at another national title. UCONN, ushers in the Kevin Ollie era after thriving under Jim Calhoun. MSU gets the square. MSU touts a deeper bench and a desire to play a tight aggressive press. UCONN no longer has Kemba Walker (30 pts against MSU in their last meeting). MSU gets the square and the win.

Before I give too much credit to the Spartans, let’s keep in mind that we do have some unsettling questions that will need to be answered in the early half of the season before we start handing out rings and nets. The loss of Draymond Green as a triple-double threat and more importantly the team’s leader, heart, and soul. Who will step up this season? Captains were made of Derrick Nix (Sr) and Russell Byrd (So) based on  their leadership potential in the off-season. If these two guys can’t hold the team together in the tough moments (and believe me, they will come this season), we could see the team unravel like 2010-2011. The youth of this year’s team is also a question mark. 11 scholarship players on the roster are Sophomores and Freshman. It’s fantastic to have guys like Branden Dawson, Travis Trice, Russell Byrd and Alex Gauna into their second season of Izzo ball, as well as a heralded freshman class led by Gary Harris (McDonald’s All-American and Indiana POTY). With the overwhelming youth of this year’s team, can the 7 guys likely to see substantial time show enough maturity and poise to handle a rough Big Ten schedule? Finally, we always have to wonder about injuries. As Izzo said in his pre-season media day, you can always count on one or two going down with injuries. What will this team look like if Branden Dawson has a set back with his knee? What happens if Derrick Nix or Adreian Payne goes down? How does the landscape look if we lose Appling?

Regardless, the season starts tonight!

Keys to Victory:

• UCONN is a fantastic franchise. No matter what the experience levels are, they’ll always put top tier talent on the court. To me though, in a season opener marked with a brand new head coach, and one lone starter returning from last season, the game starts and stops with Shabazz Napier. Bottle Napier and force the supporting cast to try and beat you. Tall order, but I believe that Keith Appling is up for the task. Touted now as Tom Izzo’s pre-season defensive player of the year for the second straight year, Appling appears to have the green light to press as much as he wants and really get after the point guard.
• Rebounding is a big thing to Izzo. 4 of the last 13 seasons, MSU has led the nation in rebounding totals (12 of the last 15 in Big Ten play). MSU’s success, or lack there of, can literally be pointed at with rebounding. Enter Dawson, Nix, Gauna, and Payne. If MSU out rebounds UCONN tonight, look for the 2012-2013 season to start off on the right foot.
• Free throws. There’s a reason why “free” is in the title. In their last meeting with UCONN, during the Maui Invitational, #2 ranked MSU lost by three points, highlighted by 5 missed free throws out of their last 6 attempts of the game. This one could very well come down to the same margin, and in tight games, you must come out ahead in the free throw battle.

Prediction:

I have this feeling, after watching the exhibition games, that MSU will come out rusty. UCONN, with a whole new group of starters and a new head coach could come out the same way. In the early onset of this game, I think you’ll see more rebounds than points. First half will be tough to watch. Second half will pick up a bit as both coaches will light fires underneath their respective teams. MSU’s depth will be the big one here. Frustrating the UCONN offense just enough to start pulling away. MSU 65, UCONN 59.

Go Green!

The list excludes freshmen from the simple fact that we have not seen them play against the rest of the college competition this season. However, freshmen like Nerlens Noel and Shabazz Mohammed both could be on the list if the Wooden award allowed such players.

Here is the list: