Michigan State Spartans NCAA Basketball News

The Big Ten is up, or so we think, with two Final Four contenders among six ranked teams.

Michigan State junior point guard Kalin Lucas has been deemed the No. 1 player to watch in the nation, according to my old friend Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News.

Tom Izzo is so driven to win another national title that he's recruiting as relentlessly as he did a decade go when he was turning a good Michigan State program into a great one.

At first glance, Michigan State's 76-45 exhibition win versus Northwood University was just a meaningless dress rehearsal while awaiting the home opener on Nov.

The Big Ten put seven teams in the NCAA tournament last season, and only put two players in the NBA Draft.

Tickets to Michigan State's non-conference basketball games are available for purchase.

EAST LANSING - Michigan State forward Raymar Morgan will miss Monday's exhibition game against Grand Valley State and might not be available for the season opener against Florida Gulf Coast on Nov.

Tom Izzo continues to reload as he picked up yet another commitment from one of the country's top prospects, 4 star guard Brandan Kearney.

Coach: Tom Izzo . Last season's record: 31-7 overall, 15-3 in Big Ten . Postseason: Lost in national championship game to North Carolina .

OUTLOOK: Though many felt 2008-09 was a down year for the Big Ten, the league still managed to have one of its own play for the national championship, and another win the NIT.

Michigan State's Draymond Green, left, puts up a shot against Northwood's Jeremy Miles on Sunday.

Michigan State will open its season on Nov. 13 as the No. 2 team in the country when the Spartans take on Florida Gulf Coast.

With six Big Ten teams ranked in the Top 25, no doubt there will be nightly battles during conference play.

Tom Izzo is so driven to win another national title that he's recruiting as relentlessly as he did a decade go when he was turning a good Michigan State program into a great one.

Kansas will start the season as the nation's top-ranked men's college basketball team, as the Associated Press released its preseason poll on Thursday.

As there are a bunch of things you won't hear, there's also some stuff you're guaranteed to hear today at Big Ten basketball media days in Chicago.

Michigan State junior Chris Allen got off to a fast start last year, with a season-high 21 points in the opener against Idaho.

Thursday is the annual Big Ten Basketball Media Day in Chicago where all 11 coaches will be on hand along with two or three of their players to do interviews with both the print and electronic media.

Once the question was asked, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo bobbed back and forth slightly at the podium in anticipation.

Michigan State point guard Kalin Lucas had no idea that a Web site with the address www.kalinlucas.com existed.