Friday, Oct. 12 Michigan State is ranked this high because of Tom Izzo, one of the truly elite coaches in the country. The Spartans are talented enough to challenge for a fifth straight Big Ten crown, but lack the experience and quality depth they have become accustomed to. Michigan State may have to adjust to playing its defense with key players playing 30-plus minutes per game. Izzo's outstanding freshmen have to learn while doing, instead of playing fewer minutes and being schooled by veterans. What Izzo will have is seven quality players, better perimeter shooting (with Alan Anderson, Chris Hill, Adam Wolfe and Adam Ballinger), a scoring point in Marcus Taylor, and a super talent in Kelvin Torbert, who will play major minutes and challenge Dajuan Wagner as the best freshman in America.

12
Michigan State
LAST SEASON: 28-5
2001 FINAL RANKING
ESPN/USA Today: No. 3

Why No. 12?
The Spartans aren't going to slack off from their recent success. They're simply too good. Marcus Taylor is one of the best scoring point guards in the country, and Kelvin Torbert and Alan Anderson could be two of the best freshman wings in the nation. The toughness is still in place with Al Anagonye inside. Tom Izzo loves his shooting forwards in Adam Wolfe and Adam Ballinger. Expectations aren't as high on Michigan State, but that shouldn't concern anyone in East Lansing. This team can compete for the Big Ten title. There is still a core that knows how to win and play in this league. Michigan State might not have as gaudy a record but the Spartans will be a tough out in March.

Will Rise If ...
The Spartans get the necessary toughness from Al Anagonye, as well as scoring, and the finesse, outside shooting from Adam Wolfe and Adam Ballinger. They were extremely effective two seasons ago with A.J. Granger as an outside threat. They need to spread a defense, and create more matchup problems. Teams will have enough of those matchup woes, trying to guard Marcus Taylor, Alan Anderson and Kelvin Torbert.

Will Fall If ...
The Spartans lack experience and if they don't have the leadership needed to survive in the Big Ten then they could be in trouble. They need the freshmen to take on more responsibility than previous Spartans have in the past. They need to adopt that toughness early in the season before they get to the Big Ten. If they don't then they could slip.

-- Andy Katz, ESPN.com

 
SCOUTING REPORT: One Big Ten coach's take on the Spartans

“

Match their toughness if possible. You can think you're matching, but you're never matching it. You've got to chase the balls down and extra possession and beating them on the glass and don't let their young guys get too comfortable because they're so talented. They're going to be very good. I don't feel sorry for them at all. Not going to be as good as they could have been but they can all play. ”

2001-02 MICHIGAN STATE ROSTER
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Key 2000-01 Stats
(25) Aloysius Anagonye	Jr.	F	6-8/255	PTS: 4.7 | AST: 3.1 | FG%: 62.4
(15) Alan Anderson	Fr.	G/F	6-6/230	Minneapolis top prep hopes to play in, not watch Final Four this season
(44) Jason Andreas	So.	C	6-10/240	PTS: 0.5 | AST: 1.0 | FG%: 45.5
(55) Adam Ballinger	Jr.	F	6-9/245	PTS: 1.9 | REB: 1.6 | FG%: 46.5
(30) Tim Bograkos	Fr.	G	6-2/180	Will struggle to find PT in talented backcourt
(5) Chris Hill	Fr.	G	6-3/180	Can shoot it from outside with best of 'em
(11) Matt Ishbia	Sr.	G	5-10/155	PTS: 0.3 | AST: 0.4 | AST: 0.1
(1) Marcus Taylor	So.	G	6-3/190	PTS: 7.4 | AST: 3.6 | 3PT%: 27.1
(23) Kelvin Torbert	Fr.	G	6-4/220	Powerful body to go with amazing moves; No ordinary freshman phenom
(20) Jayson Vincent	Fr.	G	6-4/210	Father and uncle both starred for Spartans
(3) Adam Wolfe	Jr.	F	6-9/230	PTS: 1.7 | REB: 1.7 | AST: 0.1
Head Coach: Tom Izzo (148-53, 6 years) Assistant Coaches: Brian Gregory, Mike Garland, Mark Montgomery Home Court: Breslin Center (14,759); East Lansing, Mich.

2001-02 MICHIGAN STATE SCHEDULE

November 12: Detroit (a) 14: TBD (b) 21: TBD (c) 23: TBD (d) 28: at Virginia (e) 30: Ind.-PFW (f)

December 1: TBD (g) 5: at Florida 9: Nicholls State 15: Arizona 17: UNC-Ashville 19: Oakland 22: Seton Hall 29: at Stanford

January 5: Minnesota 8: at Indiana 12: Wisconsin 16: Purdue 19: at Penn State 22: at Iowa 30: Michigan

February 3: at Illinois 6: Northwestern 10: Ohio State 12: Illinois 16: at Purdue 21: Minnesota 24: Indiana 26: at Ohio State

March 2: Iowa 7: Big Ten Tournament