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2008 Michigan State Basketball Predictions & Season Preview

Written October 14, 2008 by Luke Knight

Last season Tom Izzo’s team made it to the Sweet 16 before falling to Memphis 92-74. The Spartans went 27-9 overall and 12-6 in the Big Ten in 2007-2008. Drew Neitzel, who averaged 13.9 points and 4.0 assists per game, is really the only key loss for Michigan State this season. Izzo’s freshman guards combined to hit 37.8% of their 3-point attempts last season, which should ably replace Neitzel’s perimeter shooting. Michigan State also brings in some talented newcomers who could make an immediate impact in the Big Ten. With a solid mix of talented returners and star newcomers, Izzo should have the Spartans competitive again this year. Head over to BetUS where the Spartans are +2000 to win the NCAA Championship this season.

Junior Goran Suton leads the Spartan frontcourt this season. Last season Suton had eight double-doubles and should average a double-double this season. He was the Big Ten’s second-leading rebounder last season, and was also a solid scorer both with his back to the basket and facing up. Suton has improved his 3-point shooting during the summer. Michigan State’s top recruit, super freshman Delvon Roe, quick and skilled as a mismatch power forward, is a strong contender to step in as a starter and make an immediate impact. Marquise Gray has 45 career starts, but only occasionally rebounds well and while he is a gifted finisher, he is stiff when he tries to go to work on offense. Idong Ibok and Tom Herzog will both be solid defensive relievers. Ibok is 6’11” and Herzog is 7’0”. Herzog has good timing but is just a sophomore so is short on experience.

Raymar Morgan can move down to the low 4 if that is what it takes to put Michigan State’s best group on the floor. Morgan was a 2nd Team All-Big Ten selection last season. He is a solid slasher who scored a lot at the foul line and on put backs, but he is only an average perimeter shooter. Morgan is good, but not great and he struggles to find counters when opponents take away his favorite moves. Kalin Lucas will lead the Spartan backcourt. He is one of the most dangerous point guards in America, as he is lightning-fast with the pus, and equally quick in short bursts in the half-court. Lucas can drive to the rim and score or pull-up from medium range, and he was 36.4% from beyond the arc. The key for Lucas will be to lead and vocalize more. Chris Allen is an athletic gunner who can drop bombs from 3-point range. He put up 20 points against Memphis in the Sweet 16. Senior Captain Travis Walton is a solid back-up combo guard, who was second in the Big Ten in assists a year ago and part of the Big Ten All-Defensive team, but he is not a very good shooter. Durrell Summers, another of Michigan State’s stud sophomores with Allen and Lucas, is a star in the making. He can elevate with grace or stick the 3-pointer, but his defense was weak which limited his playing time as a freshman. Summers pull-up game and intensity also need work. Isaiah Dahlman is a decent insurance policy against injury, as he was a spot starter two years ago.

Final Analysis

Tom Izzo’s teams are at the top of their game when they have depth to run and dominate the boards. The Spartans were okay in these areas last season, but were not great. This Spartan team should be better in both categories as their small forwards and shooting guards can crash the offensive boards. The Spartans will also have nice offensive options on the outside as their now sophomore guards hit 37.8% from beyond the 3-point arc last season. Kalin Lucas can also push the pace, and they have the depth to continuously push the pace. Izzo will demand quality defense in the halfcourt, and if he gets the hunger he’s looking for from his top talent, this team is going to be extremely tough. We expect this team to be better than last season, and they will compete for the top spot in the Big Ten and the NCAA basketball odds makers agree with us. They are at +200 odds at BetUS to win the Big Ten Title this season. Look for them in the NCAA tournament as they should make some noise and win some games come March.

For help with your basketball betting this year consider signing up for the college basketball picks on our site.

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