Another Step for the Program

One night does not a season make, especially when there was so much about this 2008-09 season that was positive.

So let's get the "bad" out of the way first. Michigan State played its D- or F game yesterday. North Carolina played its A- or B+ game (although it was their A game in the first half). We all knew that if the Tar Hells played near flawlessly, the Spartans probably couldn't have won.

What was upsetting was that all the little things that MSU is known for were parts of the game we were beaten at. I know MSU won the final rebounding tally 42-35. But in the first half, when they still had enough time to mount a comeback, North Carolina got every big rebound, including several on the offensive end. North Carolina seemed to get every loose ball. They appeared to get any shot they wanted in the halfcourt and didn't even kill the Spartans on the fastbreak.

I would argue that the 35-point loss earlier this season did play a role. Once MSU fell behind by 10 points in the first few minutes, the game was over. I was in Ford Field and everyone knew it. Psychologically speaking MSU was out of it. Sure, they continued to hustle and execute at times, but in the recesses of their collective minds, they knew the game was over.

Yet the Spartans had a fantastic year. They went 31-7. They won the Big Ten by FOUR games. They won 5 NCAA tournament games. And the future looks bright with a healthier Delvon Roe, and tremendous growth from Draymond Green and Korie Lucious (although let's hope Korie's "foot" injury isn't too serious). Some good recruits are coming in over the next two years.

And let's remember that North Carolina was the consensus #1 team at the start of the year, and despite the hype surrounding Louisville coming into the tournament, the oddsmakers had the Tar Heels as a solid favorite. They were like the Florida team of two years ago where everyone who could have gone pro came back for a run at a national title. There were a couple of losses here and there for North Carolina that were surprising during the regular season, but when they had to press on the gas pedal they did. Once the Heels got through the grind of the regular season, the outcome was inevitable.

I just wish MSU had made it a game last night.

And for those of you who came down to Detroit at all for any of the games or Final Four festivities, it was a great weekend. I took off from work Friday to take my 5-year-old daughter to the MSU open practice and the Hoop City event at Cobo Hall and the atmosphere was great then, much less on Saturday and Monday. The city was energized.

This season was another great step for the MSU program. Making another Final Four is a tremendous accomplishment. The Spartans beat two more talented teams to get to the national title game. And kudos to all the seniors, but especially Goran Suton, who raised his game to a level many of us thought he couldn't reach as a college player; and Travis Walton, a three-time team co-captain or captain who made the best out of his ability to become the top perimeter defensive player in the country.

As for next year, unless something unforeseen happens there won't be a consensus top two or three teams nationally. It should be a wide open race. Here's a quick look at my top 10 (based on who I think is turning pro or returning to school):

1. Syracuse - I'm saying that Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris and Eric Devendorf all return for their senior seasons. If so, the team will return virtually intact with some impact freshmen.

2. Duke - It's hard to put them this high with how they have performed recently in the NCAA tournament but assuming Gerald Henderson returns (a big assumption) few other teams can match their experience and talent.

3. Kansas - I think Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins will return. There is some good young talent as well that should help the Jayhawks improve.

4. Purdue - Practically everyone comes back and JaJuan Johnson might very well be Big Ten player of the year next season.

5. UConn - I think Hasheen Thabeet will turn pro so if he stays UConn will move up - perhaps to the top of this list. However this ranking might be too high if point guard play doesn't improve.

6. Michigan State - Goran Suton is a big loss. Delvon Roe will have to become a much more integral part of the offense. Plus it's time for Tom Herzog to step up and contribute. But there is still good depth and Tom Izzo as the head coach.

7. Ohio State - The prognosticators who said BJ Mullens would be the top pick in this year's draft were WAY off. But Mullens is talented, just about everyone else also returns and William Buford may become a star.

8. Xavier - Derrick Brown and Terrell Holloway return although who will coach them? I'm not sure Arizona is that much better of a job than Xavier and Sean Miller has never recruited out west so it's a curious move. Xavier is a ready-made 25-win team for whoever replaces Miller.

9. North Carolina - I'm going to assume they have another top recruiting class although I think Ty Lawson will turn pro. The Tar Heels could be like this year's Kansas though and have a great year despite losing most of their contributors.

10. Kentucky - If Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks both return (a good chance), and Calipari can "recruit" (I use that term liberally) some of his top Memphis recruits to Kentucky like DeMarcus Cousins, why not put the 'Cats here?

Others considered (no particular order): Louisville, Butler, Washington, USC, UCLA, BYU, Villanova, Tennessee, Gonzaga, Memphis, Wake Forest, Texas, Missouri, Clemson, Michigan (ugh), Illinois