State Of Panic?

   With ten games remaining in the regular season, the Spartans find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Losers of 3 games in a row, including a loss to Michigan, at home, for the first time since 97, Michigan State needs to get things turned around before it’s too late. If the Spartans are going to add to their streak of 13 straight NCAA tournament appearances, Tom Izzo will have to pull off his best coaching performance of his career. Let’s asses the situation…

   I all began before the season even started. After another trip to the Final Four, Tom Izzo seemed to flirt with Cleveland in the offseason about there head coaching job, which came as a shock to a lot of people. Then Izzo decided to send Chris Allen packing due to disciplinary issues. Not to mention…Kalin Lucas was coming off achilles surgery. So…there were many questions heading into the regular season. Who will fill Allen’s shoes? Will Lucas be healthy? Can Summers and Roe take the next step? We now have the answers.

   The Spartans are currently 115^th in scoring and 145^th in field goal percentage. They have had major problems scoring. There is no doubt that Chris Allen has been severely missed. With him gone, they lost a good ball handler and a deadly shooter. Korie Lucious was supposed to be that guy, but he was dismissed from the team earlier this week. They just haven’t found someone to step in and fill that role yet. Is it too late? I don’t think so. Yes…Appling has played ok and I’m sure his role will be significantly increased.  He’s actually shooting 43% from 3 point line, but after him…there’s nobody. Thornton or Kebler must step up going forward. As for Lucas…he’s been good. He is leading the Spartans in scoring and is obviously the leader of the team. But…he can only do so much. He just hasn’t gotten enough help. Another key to Michigan State’s success last year was Durrell Summers. After the tournament he played last year, I was looking for him to come back and dominate. It hasn’t really been the case. Summers is only averaging 14 points per game and is shooting a bismol 40% from the field. He definitely needs to play better down the stretch if the Spartans are going to make a run. That brings us to Delvon Roe. After all of the hype coming in, Roe was finally supposed to be healthy this year. That being considered, he hasn’t really been the player they expected. He’s only averaging 7 points and 5 rebounds per game. There is no doubt the Spartans have the talent, it’s about them all playing to their potential. 

   So yes…State has underachieved and their in a tough spot right now, but the Spartans do have one thing no other team has. Tom Izzo. Some people have criticized Izzo for his disciplinary actions, but I trust that he made the decision that was best for the team. It’s nice to see a coach who will stand up and make the tough decisions, even if they are unpopular. So…with 10 games remaining and 5 of them against ranked opponents, it is time for the Spartans to make their run. State is 12-8 overall and  4-4 in the Big Ten. State has Purdue and Illinois at home, but must travel to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Spartans need to get to at least 18 wins to make the tournament. If not…they will more than likely have to win the Big Ten Tournament to get in.  Is it time to panic? Not yet. Yeah…its been a disappointing season so far, but there’s time to right the ship. Either way…it has to start now. Can it be done? I don’t know, but if anybody can make it happen...it’s Izzo.

   It all starts today as the Spartans host Indiana at the Breslin Center. Start time is scheduled for 6:00 P.M.