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     Tom Izzo once told me coaches don't take stupid pills, they struggle once they no longer can attract quality recruits.  As Izzo is about to beginhis 15th season as MSU's head men's basketball coach, he has another stellar recruiting class set to sign on November 11th with the addition Thursday of 6-9 Adreian Payne of Dayton, Ohio.  Payne is ranked 23rd in the nation by ESPN and completes MSU's four player class.  The others are Alex Gauna of Eaton Rapids, Russell Byrd of Fort Wayne, Indiana and Keith Appling of Detroit Pershing.  They give MSU fans hope for years to come.  Even if Kalin Lucas departs for the NBA after next season, MSU should still be loaded with talent.

     Izzo has managed to continue to attract players, the key I believe, to his success.  I think all these coaches can figure out the x's and theo's, but without the players it matters little.  MSU is great in basketball because the recruits are usually high quality and then they get better when they arrive on campus.  Much is expected in the MSU program and the good players continue to keep on delivering big seasons.

    I'm not sure the current team is really second best in the nation as it is currently ranked in pre season polls, but the potential for elite teams is still there with no let up in sight.  Izzo has figured out how to make it work year after year and he doesn't seem to be missing a beat and he beat some mighty good basketball schools to land Payne.

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