The wait is over. The Michigan State Spartans 2010-11 basketball season commences tonight with a home matchup against the Eastern Michigan Eagles. The game preview with viewing/listening options is here and TOC's MSU season preview is here. The point guard position will once again be a focus in tonight's game, as the Spartans will be playing without both Mike Kebler (ankle) and Korie Lucious (suspension). With Izzo likely not wanting to push Kalin Lucas' ongoing recovery by playing him excessive minutes, we may get a chance to see 10 minutes or so of freshman Keith Appling at the point. Who knows, we might even see some of Draymond Green running the offense, as he did during the NCAA Tournament last year.
The Spartans are looking to win their 34th straight home opener and their 39th November home [Edit] game without a loss under Tom Izzo. This thread is the place for you to share your in-game thoughts with other Spartan fans. KJ will be at the game and I have some family duties this evening but hope to join in midway through. Ken Pomeroy's system predicts a 98%-likely victory for MSU in a 65-possession game. That seems a little slow to me, as MSU went through the non-conference schedule last year at a pace of 71.5 possessions per game before putting on the brakes and averaging 63.5 the rest of the way. And EMU is emphasizing aggressive up-tempo defense this year, which helped them to drop 100 on Marygrove University in their exhibition opener. But I'll take whatever kind of pace produces a win. In fact, a game just like the last meeting between these teams, a 17-point Spartan win as part of a National Championship season would be just fine. Let's get this started!