Michigan State Seeks To Keep NCAA Streak Alive
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 7, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - No matter who is suiting up for Michigan State and coach Tom Izzo, there are some goals that just don't change much from year to year.
"Definitely to get to the NCAA tournament," Izzo said of the expectations for his 2006-07 Spartans. "Around here, that's more expected than appreciated."
Michigan State has made it to college basketball's annual showcase nine straight seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and fifth-longest in the nation. Only Arizona (22), Kansas (17), Kentucky (15) and Duke (11) have longer current streaks.
On paper, Izzo might have a challenge keeping his annual March tournament obligation.
The Spartans have lost three NBA draft picks -- Shannon Brown, Maurice Ager and Paul Davis -- from last season's team. Another key piece of the puzzle, forward Matt Trannon, also may be unavailable this season if he decides to focus on his football career and the upcoming NFL draft instead.
But Izzo and the Spartans -- who host Brown in the season opener Wednesday in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer -- are undeterred. They say they figure the Michigan State program has reached a level where it is expected to reload each season, at least to some degree.
"We've been working very hard this offseason," said junior point guard Drew Neitzel, expected to step into the team's leadership role this year. "I just think the adversity we're facing right now is just bringing us closer. Everybody's in it together this year, not going out there to prove people wrong, but to just go out there and prove to ourselves what kind of team we are this year."
Last year's Spartans started the season ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press poll but finished 22-12 and were bounced out of the NCAA tournament in the first round by George Mason.
Michigan State returns the players responsible for just 22 percent of the points, 31 percent of the rebounds and 40 percent of the minutes from last year's team. The Spartans are picked to finish back in the pack behind Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois in the Big Ten.
Defense, rebounding and toughness -- hallmarks of Izzo's most successful teams -- will be emphasized this season.
"I think those are the things we struggled with in the past year, so we're going to try to improve," sophomore center Goran Suton said. "We have to improve, there's no question."
Neitzel, the only returning full-time starter from last year's team, will be the key.
The 6-foot, 180-pound Grand Rapids native averaged 8.3 points and a team-high 5.6 assists per game last season. Expect those numbers to inflate substantially this year.
Neitzel was somewhat overshadowed by last year's upperclassmen but says he is ready to be the team's go-to-guy this season.
"I really feel he's confident, he's got a little bit of a swagger," said Izzo, entering his 12th season as the Spartans' head coach.
Neitzel's teammates agree.
"He has the most playing experience of anybody on the team," said junior center Drew Naymick. "He's going to use that to his advantage. He knows what to expect and how to lead guys."
Naymick, who has battled injuries throughout his career, should be a factor inside if he can stay healthy. Naymick started the first seven games of last season before a shoulder injury shelved him for the rest of the year.
Sophomore Marquise Gray started nine games last season at power forward and Suton started six games. Both will compete for a starting job this season.
Freshman Raymar Morgan -- a 6-foot-7, 225-pounder from Ohio -- will be a starting candidate in the frontcourt if he's healthy. Morgan missed the Spartans' opening exhibition game with a shoulder injury. He already has made an impression in practice with his offensive rebounding ability.
"I'm probably not going to tell him he's a freshmen very often, because we do need him," Izzo said.
Sophomore Idong Ibok provides a defensive presence and some depth inside. Seven-foot freshman Tom Herzog, the Spartans' latest recruit from Flint, could provide depth or redshirt.
Neitzel is joined in the backcourt and in team captain duties by sophomore Travis Walton, who was solid defensively last year and should score more this season.
Sophomore Maurice Joseph and freshman Isaiah Dahlman also will get playing time in backcourt this season.
"There aren't a lot of secrets when you sit there and look at the roster," Izzo said. "We can't afford any injuries."
Michigan State will play a record 19 home games at Breslin Center, where it has a 146-21 record under Izzo.
The Big Ten opener is Jan. 4 at Iowa.
