We interrupt football season ...

It's a bye week, so let's shift gears to MSU hoops. I haven't seen the Spartans play yet this year, but I'm ready. It's no secret basketball is my favorite sport. Let's skip the early games and move on to the Big Ten season already.

But seriously, who is the player you're most excited to watch this season? MSU has a lot of talent. I'll probably be the only one who picks this guy, but I'm going to keep a close eye on Travis Walton. He's not flashy like Kalin Lucas or Chris Allen or Raymar Morgan, but I think his leadership will be invaluable to this team. I really like him.

Who are you guys watching for?

Comments

[SpartinInYork]

Looking for Allen to really shine this year. Morgan needs to have his head on straight every game this year. Lucas is a very polished player, and should emerge as the leader that they have lacked on the floor for the last few years. We haven't had a true floor general since Cleaves.
If Walton can't hit a few jumpers once in awhile, then he's a liability for the offense. His defense is overrated, and with the talent rich team, he should be coming off the bench.

[McSpar10]

Morgan + Allen = Summers

Summers does it all. He can put it on the floor, he can shoot, he can rebound, he can score down low. He can dunk the ball without a running start, standing right under the hoop for crying out load. Not many 2 guards in the country can say that.

Lucas is so stable we are already to the point of taking his production for granted. We are so loaded it's unfair.

I think the key to the season is Gray and Allen. If Allen can find his "Respert-like" stroke and play respectable defense, we will be in good shape.

Time to add some hardware to the trophy case, folks!

[Alan Robertson]

I'll be watching both Summers and Allen very closely. They are great offensive talents, but if you are scoring 20 and giving up 18 to your man, it's a wash.

Will Gray ever live up to his hype/potential?

[STLSpartan]

I look forward to the emergence of Kalin Lucas as well. And he now already has an understudy in Lucious. I agree with York on Walton... he's overrated defensively and hasn't emerged as the leader that Izzo has taughted him to be. Maybe in the clubhouse, but not on the floor. And if this team is going to be running a pressing, trapping defense, then Walton isn't the best man for that job.
I will also have my eye on Suton... last chance for him to come to play every day. Lack of a consistent "big" will continue to hamper this team in the big 10 and in tourneys.
And lastly... Morgan has to stay out of foul trouble and play smarter. The jury is still out on whether this guy has the smarts of a bag of rocks.
Lots of X-factors this year!

[Spartan_Legacy]

This could be a big year for Suton. And MSU will have a great year if Suton can produce. Run the floor and if there are no easy baskets, work it inside to Suton. If he can put up some points and grab rebounds on a consistent basis, the team will be hard to contain.

[LeeBee]

We cannot allow the opponents to penetrate and draw fouls. That is where our bigs need to improve without compromising their effectiveness. If they can do this, we will ROCK!
go Green!

[karatechop6]

Suton and Gray - will give us the same old thing as last year...inconsistency.

I just don't see a whole lot of upside with Walton. With our running style, he'll definitely have to eat up some minutes. And might see a lot of time against teams using high pressure. Maybe him and Lucas in the back court at the same time?

I am excited to see Morgan and Summers this year. Both should be huge!! Lucious and Allen have a ton of upside.

The biggest hole to fill is Naymick's defense and rebounding. We could see Suton and Gray in foul trouble a lot. Hopefully Herzog can log some productive minutes.

I'm ready to get this season going!!

[smarty pants]

I can't believe no has said:

DELVON ROE!!!

Travis Walton??? Your joking Stephanie, right?

[smarty pants]

Looking at Travis Walton is the same thing as watching a beauty contest and instead of watching the beautiful girls (or boys if thats your thing) your checking out their moms...Jez

[Stephanie Angel]

Wow, smarty pants. I didn't say Walton was the best player ever. I said I was looking forward to watching him. Izzo speaks highly of him and his work ethic. This team will need leadership and he definitely will be a contributor.

[Spartan4life33]

Skip the early games???? State's non-conference schedule is loaded and I can't wait to watch them play UNC at Forld Field, Texas, Kansas, Maryland, Bradely, and the possibility of some other tough teams.

[Danny]

I want to see a lineup with Lucas and Lucious in it. They are two of the quickest guards in the country, so the other team might as well just give up.

[FMatt]

hmmm...somebody was commeting on the article about Izzo knowing only 60% of his starting team as to why that would be... after watching the two exhibition games, I can understand why. With the wealth of depth we have, how in the world do you just pick 5 guys except to look at your opponents before each game and figuring out what lineup will work best? But hey, what do I know... am just a huge Spartan fan who's looking to have a good time watching them play and win the games that matter. Morgan's the one I want to see do consistently well this year with Gray and Suton. GO GREEEEN!

[VegasMike]

Keep an eye on Walton? Maybe to see if he makes his first 3 pointer as a Spartan! He does provide good leadership and plays tough defense, but the 2 players I'm looking forward to watching are Roe and Summers. Roe will be a work in progress, and if the preseason games are any indication, Summers is about to explode! When Izzo starts comparing him to Jason Richardson, watch out!

[Lorenzo]

Stephanie, why would you skip the games before the Big Ten season? Have you looked at the schedule or are you just an idiot?