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ing back. It was a great year for our league." Here's a look at how the league may shake out. 1 MICHIGAN STATE 27-9, 13-5 Big Ten (Tied second) The Spartans lost only one starter from last season's Sweet 16 team — they've advanced at least that far in five of the last six seasons — and Coach Tom Izzo really likes the group he has back. The 19th-year coach told the Detroit Free-Press that "we're better at every other position except center, Greg Bartram and I think that will be by committee Aaron Craft, pictured here with Coach Thad Matta, has established a reputation and problem-less." for being a bulldog on defense and a steady point guard for Ohio State, but he Izzo also raved about his team's may need to score more than distribute for the Buckeyes this season. chemistry and work ethic in the offThe Buckeyes are the only program in the nation to season, saying it's never been this reach the Sweet 16 the past four seasons. Work will need good. to be done to extend that streak, and the Buckeyes will The players themselves aren't too bad either. The roster is loaded with likely all-Big Ten picks, in- rely on an experienced backcourt to do it. Aaron Craft has helped guide the program to at least 29 cluding Player-of-the-Year candidate Gary Harris, beastly post Adreian Payne, ever-improving point guard Keith victories in the last three seasons with a steady presence from his point guard spot. His 4.6 assists per game last Appling and rising star Branden Dawson. Not everyone expected Harris or Payne to return this season is the top returning average, and he's established himself as one of the country's fiercest defenders. But he season, but they'll be the focal points. Harris wasn't even healthy last season, nursing a must be a better jump shooter and perimeter threat. He'll be joined by senior Lenzelle Smith, one of the shoulder injury, and still earned Big Ten Freshman-ofteam's best shooters (37 percent threes, 9.2 ppg), but the-Year after averaging 12.9 points and sticking 41 perShannon Scott is a nice complement, too, from a facilcent of his three-pointers. Payne ranked as the nation's best power forward by itating standpoint and as another defensive stalwart. Lindy's magazine, and he's expected to develop into a Scott's 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio led the league. The most pressure offensively probably falls on LaQuinconsistent double-double performer after averaging 10.5 ton Ross, who is expected to be the heir to departed leadpoints and 7.6 rebounds. Perhaps the key to Michigan State's hopes of not only ing scorer Deshaun Thomas. Ross, a 6-foot-8 stretch 4 taking the Big Ten but advancing deep into the NCAAs player, finished the season well with a monster NCAA again is decision-making. The Spartans had more turn- Tournament that included the game-winner against Arovers than assists last season, averaging 13.6 turnovers izona. He made 38 percent of his three-pointers last season but needs to showcase some off-the-dribble action. per game. That ranked No. 205 in the country. But will that be enough to overcome no real inside 2 OHIO STATE presence? Ohio State likely will need 6-11 Amir Williams 29-8, 13-5 (tied second) to grow into that role. 48 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 2 f