Though the rival Michigan Wolverines (17-1, 4-1) are sitting at No. 2 overall in the country, Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans (16-3, 5-1) are holding down the Big Ten once again, and at No. 13 in the nation and rising, there’s plenty to be excited about inside Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Recently named team captain, Junior guard Keith Appling (13.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.4 apg) is leading the Spartans up the standings and he’s received plenty of help along the way. Magnificent freshman guard and former Indiana Mr Basketball Gary Harris is second on the team in scoring (12.6 ppg), while their pair of standout centers, Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix, are holding down the middle. The 6-9 Payne is hauling in 9.4 points and 7.1 rebounds a game, while Nix is bringing home 9.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per. With such quality inside out play, the Spartans will certainly be a tough out come March Madness.
But to get there, first, the Spartans will have to combat a tough upcoming schedule that pits them against some of the Big Ten’s best. They’ll head to Wisconsin on January 22nd before taking off to play No. 7 Indiana (1/27). Then there will be tough matchups against No. 12 Minnesota (2/6), No. 2 Michigan (2/12), No. 14 Ohio State (2/24), and another battle with the Wolverines on March 2nd. With all of these elite games on the schedule, the Spartans should certainly enter tournament season well tested. Make sure to get your Michigan State Spartans tickets now to see them try to build a resume that will allow them to cut down the nets at season’s end.
