Michigan State Spartans Power Index: 32.7*

Michigan State contends primarily because of its ability to out-rebound, out-hustle, out-tough its opponents, and because of the Spartans' complete belief in their defensive principles. The Spartans will not have as potent a fast break as they had in reaching the Final Four in 2000 and 2001, but this team will generate far more easy scores than did the 2002 Spartans, who had to grind out every possession last season, which eventually wore them down. While Tom Izzo does not have a prototype point guard who can take a deep outlet and push the ball with great speed, he does have Chris Hill, a sharpshooting sophomore who has the requisite skills to run a team while still looking for scoring opportunities. Adam Ballinger is a fine shooter and defender, and has become one of the most respected team players in America, and Al Anagonye is a bruising defender and rebounder that needs to look to score more inside. Kelvin Torbert, Alan Anderson and Maurice Ager provide quality wing athletes, and Paul Davis and Erazem Lorbeck are both skilled and can shoot, rebound and defend. This team will challenge for the Big Ten title again, and be a noisemaker nationally. Next year, the Spartans have a chance to be downright scary. -- Jay Bilas

Toughness: 7.7
Come on, do we need to ask this question about Michigan State? The Spartans endure one of ESPN.com's three toughest practice sessions on a daily basis, so this is a moot point. But with only two seniors, the level of toughness is still maturing under Izzo, who demands toughness in rebounding and defense. Getting the boards isn't about size or height, but toughness. He instills that within every newcomer and the vets have long since bought into his desire. The Spartans are a bruising presence that's hard to get around in the post, let alone deal with a bump while going through for a cut to the basket. Michigan State is mentally tough to go on the road and compete in any environment and this is one area where the Spartans won't be deficient.

Talent: 6.2
The Spartans don't have that elite player to rely on -- yet. Michigan State is as deep as it was during its three straight Final Fours. The perimeter, when healthy, is loaded with scorers and shooters whose names will soon be familiar: Chris Hill, Ager, Alan Anderson, Torbert and Rashi Johnson. Hill and Johnson will split the point, with the latter being more of a playmaker. The Spartans have their usual group of shooting forwards with Adam Ballinger, Paul Davis, Erazem Lorbek, Adam Wolfe (when he's healthy from a hamstring injury) and even Aloysius Anagonye. But Big Al is probably the best MSU bruiser underneath with Delco Rowley a legitimate power player, too.

Tourney Tested: 6.0
OK, so Michigan State got bounced in the first round last season. But don't bank on that causing concern for this team, or this coach. Izzo won a national title in 2000 and has been to three Final Fours. He won't get frazzled. Ballinger and Anagonye have been there for all the postseason success as well. While the younger players didn't get a chance to experience a deep run, there is enough experience from players and coaches to ease any concern come March. The Michigan State program is proven. It's up to the younger Spartans to follow the seniors' lead if MSU is to dance longer in 2003.

Schedule: 5.9
The Spartans schedule doesn't have many cupcakes, but isn't as brutal as some others in the country. Izzo wants his team tested and that's what they'll get in the Great Alaska Shootout with potential games against Villanova, Wyoming or Oklahoma State. Virginia comes calling in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge and Michigan State plays at Kentucky, hosts a dangerous South Florida and goes to Oklahoma (well, Oklahoma City) Jan. 4. Michigan State won't get through this maze without some hits in the loss column. But the Spartans will be better in March by getting nicked a few times. The Big Ten slate is balanced, at least with the best teams, with Michigan State playing Indiana twice. But the Spartans got Wisconsin once (on the road) and play surging Minnesota home-and-home.

Xs & Os: 6.9
Izzo is one of the five best coaches in the game, today. Period. He can adjust with his personnel, gets his players to play hard and knows how to develop players. Michigan State will need to rely on each other, rather than leaning on one or two stars. The Spartans will manufacture shots and do it with conviction, getting to their cuts and setting screens as if they were on a fundamentals video. Izzo's knowledge of the game is one of the team's biggest strength. The key will be whether or not they can make 3s and perimeter shots in a tight game, late in the season.

-- Andy Katz

ESPN.com's Power Index is based on a 10-point scale in each of these five categories: Toughness, Talent, Schedule Strength, Tournament Tested, Xs & Os. Teams are scored based on returning players, coaching staffs, a program's past performances in the regular season and postseason, as well as expectations heading into the 2002-03 season.