'Different' Spartans could make tournament run despite inconsistencies

There's no doubt that this year's Michigan State basketball team is different.

The players aren't as talented or tough as past teams coached by Tom Izzo, and their struggles from the free-throw line were costly more than once.

Izzo will be the first one to tell you that this isn't a vintage MSU team, but that doesn't mean the Spartans can't do something special in the next few weeks.

Despite a heartbreaking loss to Wisconsin in Sunday's Big Ten tournament championship game, MSU has been playing some of its best basketball of late and could make a run in the NCAA tournament.

"Well, a month ago I was looking forward to getting in it," Izzo said during a conference call Tuesday. "Now I'm looking forward to winning a couple games. I think I like that kind of pressure."

The Spartans are seeded seventh in the East region and open the tournament against 10th-seeded Georgia on Friday in Charlotte, N.C. The winner will probably face No. 2 seed Virginia on Sunday, with a berth to the Sweet 16 at stake.

"I think the battle cry is to win the weekend and then we'll assess where we are," Izzo said.

That assessment is something Izzo has been trying to accomplish all season.

"I don't know where this team's at," Izzo said. "That's not because I'm stupid, although that could be used ... It was just that I didn't have a good feel."

There are still a lot of question marks surrounding the Spartans as they prepare to make a tournament run. They've shown flashes of brilliance (back-to-back victories over Ohio State and Maryland) and moments that have been absolutely baffling -- and not in a good way (loss to Texas Southern).

With injuries to key players, such as Branden Dawson and Bryn Forbes, plus losing talented freshman Javon Bess (foot injury) for the season, MSU's growth as a team was stunted and its consistency nonexistent throughout the season.

The Spartans' best chance of turning that around and advancing past this weekend lies within Dawson. The senior will need to establish and maintain a high energy level that can be reciprocated by his teammates.

"If he plays with that energy, we are different team," Izzo said. "That puts a lot on Branden, but you should be willing to take on a lot when you're a senior."

Success doesn't come easy in the tournament, yet it's a simple recipe. The best players have to play their best, role players have to play their roles, and teams need to stay injury-free and get a little bit of luck.

That's why we love March. It's the beginning of a new season. And although No. 1 Kentucky is the clear favorite to cut down the nets in Indianapolis, anything can happen on any given night.

If anyone knows that, it's Izzo.

"It is the NCAA tournament and March brings some funny things, positively or negatively," he said.