Michigan State’s players do not need a map or a bracket to figure out where the Final Four is this season.
Ford Field in Detroit is less than 100 miles from Michigan State’s campus, and the Spartans will play a regular-season game there Dec. 3 against top-ranked North Carolina.
Preview thoughts might dance through their minds.
“Yeah, we’ve talked about it,” senior center Goran Suton said.
Other Big Ten teams might have thought about it, but not too many can plan on it this season.
Outside of No. 6 Michigan State, No. 11 Purdue and No. 25 Wisconsin, the other eight Big Ten teams have been getting little preseason love. Here’s a rundown, in alphabetical order, with last season’s record:
Illinois (16-19, 5-13)
Opener: Friday vs. Eastern Washington
Tying Michigan for ninth, no NCAA tournament appearance and injuries did not please Illini fans. The Illini will need to fill voids left by Shaun Pruitt and Brian Randle, but there is reason for optimism. Fans are eager to see Alex Legion, a basketball drifter who finally landed with the Illini and could be their best guard. Winning five of the final seven games last season showed some mettle.
Indiana (25-8, 14-4)
Opener: Saturday vs. Northwestern State
Fans really are excited about what the Hoosiers will be like … three years from now. They have no starters and only one scholarship player returning. Only half the student allotment of 8,000 tickets has been sold, according to the Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel. “As we get into it, people will know,” new coach Tom Crean said. “I want them to see that our team is going to play with energy, play extremely hard and compete.”
Iowa (13-19, 6-12)
Opener: Friday vs. Charleston Southern
The Hawkeyes averaged only 56.1 points per game last season. Gone are guards Tony Freeman and Justin Johnson, who accounted for 25.6 ppg. Senior forward Cyrus Tate is the team’s leading returning scorer with 8.3 ppg.
Michigan (10-22, 5-13)
Opener: Beat Michigan Tech on Tuesday
Michigan received one slap in the face after another last season: losing to the coach it had just fired, giving Northwestern its only conference victory, being held to 34 points in a conference tournament loss. The Wolverines should improve in John Beilein’s second year. Sophomore Manny Harris (16.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg) operates under heavy expectations.
Michigan St. (27-9, 12-6)
Opener: Sunday vs. Idaho
The Spartans will go for their first Big Ten title since 2001 and plan on a long stay in the NCAA tournament despite losing Drew Neitzel and Drew Naymick. Five of the top six scorers return, including leading scorer Raymar Morgan (14 ppg).
Minnesota (20-14, 8-10)
Opener: Friday vs. Concordia-St. Paul
The Gophers lost three starters from a team that finally had a respectable season. They hope to benefit from two additions to the post: freshmen Ralph Sampson III (6 feet 11 inches) and Cotton Iverson (6-10).
Northwestern (8-22, 1-17)
Opener: Sun. vs. Central Arkansas
Losing an exhibition game is no way to drum up excitement, but the Wildcats should be improved. Michael Thompson, third in the league in assists, can provide Kevin Coble and Craig Moore with scoring opportunities. More height is never a bad thing, and NU will have it in 7-foot Kyle Rowley and 6-11 Luka Mirkovic.
Ohio State (24-13, 10-8)
Opener: Nov. 20 vs. Delaware State
David Lighty entered Ohio State with Greg Oden and Mike Conley but has yet to deliver as the only member remaining from the team that reached the title game in 2007. He averaged 9 ppg last season; will this be his year?
Penn State (15-16, 7-11)
Opener: Friday vs. William & Mary
After starting last season with consecutive road victories, the Nittany Lions lost eight of their next nine and had a mediocre Big Ten season. They can improve with four starters returning. One way would be to shore up the defense, which allowed 66.7 ppg and 44.8 percent shooting.
Purdue (25-9, 15-3)
Opener: Friday vs. Detroit Mercy
Michigan State is ranked higher in the national polls, but conference coaches picked the Boilermakers to win the Big Ten title. Sophomore Robbie Hummel, a 6-8 forward who averaged 11.4 ppg and 6.1 rpg, is the preseason player of the year.
Wisconsin (31-5, 16-2)
Opener: Sunday vs. Long Beach State
The Badgers won games by an average of nearly 13 points last season. The Big Ten defending champions are not devoid of leadership, returning guard Trevon Hughes and forwards Marcus Landry and Joe Krabbenhoft. The trio combined for nearly 30 ppg last season. If anyone can sneak up on Purdue and Michigan State, it’s Wisconsin.
