Future uncertain for Michigan State after "disappointing" 2012-13 season

This was an interesting season for the Michigan State basketball team.

There were times where it looked like the Spartans weren’t going to amount to much, then there were times where it looked like MSU might be a national contender.

By standards of most programs, Michigan State had a good season, maybe even a successful one. The Spartans finished second in the most difficult conference, the Big Ten, and reached its fifth Sweet 16 in six years.

But, those aren’t accomplishments worth applauding thanks to the standards of Tom Izzo.

The Spartans didn’t claim any championship this year and didn’t reach a Final Four. Those are the standards Izzo has created for the program through the years.

Michigan State was capable of beating Duke in the Sweet 16, but it didn’t get the job done.

Adding to the sting of the end of the season for Spartan fans is seeing Michigan reach the Final Four for the first time since 1993.

Like it or not, Michigan has made a lot of progress in the in-state rivalry the past few years and the Wolverines have a potential to win the national title, which would give John Beilein as many titles as Izzo.

That’s not to say Beilein is a better coach, but there has to be some concern within the MSU program about where things are heading.

The Spartans could be very good next year if the team stays intact. However, it is not certain that that will be the case.

Derrick Nix is the lone senior and his departure will be felt. He provided strength in the paint and had developed into a nice offensive option this season with his scoring and passing.

The Spartans may get more athletic in the paint next season, but I don’t know that they will have the interior passing presence like they had in Nix this season and Draymond Green prior to that.

ESPN’s NBA Draft guru, Chad Ford, has two Spartans listed as potential first round picks if they elect to leave early.

Freshman guard Gary Harris is currently listed as the 10^th best prospect in this year’s draft. Ford believes Harris is a lock to be a lottery pick if he elects to leave MSU.

Junior forward Adreian Payne is listed as the 40^th-best prospect for the draft by Ford. Payne’s athleticism and size, along with his ability to shoot from the outside, make him an interesting option for NBA teams. Though unpolished, Payne has plenty of upside.

Due to a recruiting class for 2013 that currently features just one player, three-star center Gavin Schilling, Michigan State can’t really afford to see Harris or Payne leave. Harris will likely develop into MSU’s top scoring option for next season and Payne is crucial to keep on the roster with Nix already gone.

If MSU can keep Payne and Harris around, we might be talking about another Final Four run for the Spartans at this time next year. If not, there may be more disappointment to come.

How would you grade MSU's 2012-13 season?

Memphis vs. Michigan State Breakdown & Prediction

No. 6 Memphis vs. No. 3 Michigan State

Preview Story

Time: 2:45 p.m.

Venue: The Palace of Auburn Hills

TV: CBS

Records: Memphis 31-4; Michigan State 26-8

Memphis stat leaders: Points – Joe Jackson (13.7 ppg); Rebounds – D.J. Stephens (6.7 rpg); Assists – Jackson (4.9 apg); Steals – Geron Johnson (1.8 spg).

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Keith Appling (13.6 ppg); Rebounds – Adreian Payne (7.4 rpg); Assists – Appling (3.5 apg); Steals – Branden Dawson (1.6 spg).

Current Streaks: Memphis W7, Michigan State W1

Point Spread: MSU -6

Prediction: I think Memphis has a pretty good team and is athletic, but I don’t think the Tigers are going to present Michigan State anything it hasn’t seen before. The Spartans will have to play smart and committed on defense, or else Memphis can pile up the points. I think the Spartans should be able to stay balanced on offense. Derrick Nix still has a size advantage on anyone Memphis has and the Spartans have more shooting options than the Tigers. I think Tom Izzo will have a few tricks up his sleeve for Josh Pastner as well. Based on the vibe I get from Pastner and Memphis, Thursday’s win was an accomplishment in itself. I don’t think the Tigers are ready to take things to another level against MSU. Michigan State 67, Memphis 60

Michigan at Michigan State Breakdown & Prediction

No. 4 Michigan at No. 8 Michigan State

Time: 9 p.m.

Venue: Breslin Center

TV: ESPN

Records: Michigan 21-3, 8-3 Big Ten; Michigan State 20-4, 9-2

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Trey Burke (18.2 ppg); Rebounds – Mitch McGary (6.1 rpg); Assists – Burke (7.1 apg); Steals – Burke (1.4 spg).

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Keith Appling (14.1 ppg); Rebounds – Adreian Payne (6.8 rpg); Assists – Appling (4.1 apg); Steals – Branden Dawson (1.8 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan L1, Michigan State W3

Point Spread: Michigan -1

Prediction: This game is all someone like me can hope for. I don’t have an affiliation to either team, but know that when both teams are playing at a high level, it makes the rivalry that much better. This game is one of the biggest regular-season meetings between these two programs. The Big Ten title implications for this game are massive and you can feel the anticipation in the air. I would be disappointed if this was anything other than a great game. I expect it to be close throughout and come down to the final few possessions. I am sure the atmosphere at the Breslin Center will be tremendous. When it comes to the game, I think Michigan State can find plenty of points in the paint if they choose to be aggressive on offense. Mitch McGary has improved, but he is going to be tested trying to keep Derrick Nix out of the lane. Adreian Payne can be a tough matchup for the Wolverines as well because of his outside shooting and athleticism. For Michigan, the Wolverines need all hands on deck. In the road losses, there have been key players that have went missing. For the most part, Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III have been the biggest culprits for disappearing in the big games. If Michigan can get the whole starting five involved, it can win tonight. However, it has been a trend for the Wolverines to have key players disappear, and I think that will happen again tonight. I have to pick against Michigan until it proves to me that it can win one of these big road games. I think Michigan has more talent, but they just haven’t been able to grind out a big win on the road. Michigan State is unbeaten at home for a reason and they have the better coach on the sidelines. Michigan State 69, Michigan 66

Big Ten College Basketball Preseason Predictions

It’s hard to believe, but the college basketball season already gets underway this Friday.

I plan on jumping heavily into basketball once the regular season of football is over, but I thought I would give my preseason picks for the Big Ten today before the season actually begins.

Here is how I look for the Big Ten to play out this year.

1. Indiana – The Hoosiers have the experience and the talent. It was a slow rebuild for Tom Crean, but patience seems to be paying off for Indiana.

2. Michigan – Things can go really well for Michigan this year or really poorly. The Wolverines are relying on a lot of new faces, but they are expected to be a talented group of new faces. Hardaway Jr. and Burke will need to stay healthy throughout the season.

3. Michigan State – The Spartans have a lot of talent, but the loss of Draymond Green will hurt in more ways than one. Leadership issues could lead to struggles during the season. If Nix and Payne take a big step forward in their progression, the Spartans could win the conference.

4. Ohio State – The loss of Jared Sullinger and William Buford are big for the Buckeyes. They will have to rely more on their defense this year, led by Aaron Craft. I don’t see them being able to consistently win big games in the conference.

5. Wisconsin – The Badgers return a solid core from last year but lose their playmaker in Jordan Taylor. Not sure where the points will come from for Wisconsin, but they should be strong defensively once again.

6. Minnesota – The Golden Gophers could be the dark horse in the Big Ten as they return their top five scoring leaders from last season. The question is, even with the returning talent, do they have the talent that the other teams in the Big Ten have?

7. Purdue – The Boilermakers were hit hard with losing the likes of Robbie Hummel, Lewis Jackson and Ryne Smith. Purdue will be a team that is stronger later in the season as it develops new go-to players.

8. Iowa – The Hawkeyes took a step forward last year and I think that will continue some this year as they threaten to earn a NCAA Tournament bid. Iowa’s concern is not having a lot of depth to work with after losing four players from last year’s squad.

9. Northwestern – Some see Northwestern higher, but the loss of John Shurna will be a lot to overcome. The Wildcats still have some talent, but they don’t have a game-changer like Shurna to turn to. Drew Crawford will attempt to take that role, but I’m not sure he can do it with added defensive focus put on him.

10. Illinois – I like the addition of John Groce as the coach, but he doesn’t have a lot to work with this season at Illinois. Look for the Illini to struggle most of the year, but pull off a few upsets late in the season.

11. Penn State – It’s hard to say if it’s good news or bad news, but Penn State lost four players from a 12-20 team last season. I see it as the Nittany Lions having little talent, and now, even less depth.

12. Nebraska – What Nebraska can accomplish in football with a move to the Big Ten, it loses in basketball. The Cornhuskers are a mess of a basketball program. Similar to Penn State, Nebraska lost five players from a 12-18 team. It will be a long year for new coach Tim Miles.