2008 Michigan State Spartans Analysis...So Far This Season

The Michigan State Spartans, led by veteran coach Tom Izzo, started the season ranked No. 5 in the country and had high expectations to go with that ranking. The Spartans have had their share of early setbacks, starting in the Old Spice Classic when they dropped a clunker to unranked Maryland by a score of 80-62.  In that game, the Spartans were plagued by poor free throw shooting and the Spartans' biggest star, Raymar Morgan, only took three shots in 14 minutes and was in foul trouble the entire game. The 35-point loss to North Carolina was the biggest setback of the season, as UNC star Tyler Hansbrough scored 23 points and pulled in 11 rebounds. At the time the Spartans were without 6'10" center Goran Suton to try to counter Hansbrough on the defensive glass. The Spartans were eventually run out of the gym by the much superior Tar Heels by a score of 98-73. Had it not been for some late Michigan State points, the debacle would've been Izzo's worst loss since losing to Iowa by 36 in his ... (link)