It's That Time of the Year Again in East Lansing

Michigan State basketball has officially returned. The biggest sport around this campus is officially here, and the Izzone is ready to let the nation know who's fans are best. And for the #2 team in the country, expectations are high.

The Spartans took on the powerhouse known as the Saginaw Valley State Cardinal in the first game of the season, well exibition, but it's the first game of men's basketball played, even though it doesn't count for anything, but they lost to Grand Valley State a few years back in one of these, so you never know...

But this game was, as expected, a blowout and a chance for everyone to get minutes. MSU destroyed poor little SVSU 88-44. It was close at one point, when it was 0-0.

Who looked good? Well besides the usual suspects of Kalin Summers, I was impressed by Draymond Greeen's shooting; he hit a couple threes, and the fact he hit one was impressive to me. I thought Keibler looked very comfortable with the ball in his hands, which will is a very good thing with Chris Allen off the team. For those of you that don't know, it's cuz he didn't go to class, well as it says, he "didn't meet obligations set by the team."

Most impressive part of the game was in the second half. A guy from near our section, you can tell from my picture were we (I and a friend, Molly if you're curious to the name cuz I know who would ask.) Anyways, the shot came from our left. It was a paper airplane. We were watching it glide down. We knew this plane was destined for glory. It looked court bound, but then we got sad because it looked like it was going to overshoot the court. But the plane banked off the backboard. As I looked for it to fall to the ground, I noticed it wasn't falling. It was in the net. The guy made a shot across the court from left to right on the picture, with a paper airplane. Believe it folks, it happened

But how much can you take from a Saginaw Valley game? (Freep article) Not too much, but if they looked bad, then everyone would be up in arms. But they looked good, as they should. They looked ready to start the season and a run at the National Championship.

But how will they fair this season? Will they get all the way to the National Championship? They are the number two in the nation to start the season, and that's fair. Personally, I think they are the best team in the country, and then Duke. Which then brings me to the matchup of the year, MSU plays Duke at Duke for the ACC-Big Ten challenge, that game is going to be crazy. I give the edge to Duke in it, only because they are at Cameron Indoor.

MSU has one of the toughest schedule in the country, and that's the way Izzo likes it. MSU will not run the table, they will lose, but that's the nature of college basketball. MSU will be a number one seed in the tournament, they will win the Big Ten, they will be in the final four, and I'm gonna say it right now, they will win the national title. They are my preseason pick to win the national championship.

Players to watch for the Spartans... Well there's the usual suspects of Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers. Draymond Green is going to have an increasing role with Raymar graduating and his mid-range game has improved. Delvon Roe will be a big part of this team, and I expect the freshman of Adrian Payne and Keith Appling to get some good playing time and I expect to make an impact.

But my Spartan to watch is a sleeper... Austin Thornton. With Chris Allen gone, Thronton's role is going to be much greater than last year and than what was expected going into this season before Allen left. Thornton started against SVSU, and, in my opinion, is likely to start in Allen's spot. Can't start Appling, not ready. You could run Korie Lucious but he would be better playing behind Kalin, rather than next to. Expect Austin Thornton to have a big impact this year.

Sparty On ladies and gentlemen, Sparty On.