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     It's been one of those seasons where Tom Izzo has issues with various players.  It's such a long season I'm amazed more of such issues surface, not only at MSU, but elsewhere.  These guys are together for such a long time with endless practices, game prep, the games, the travel, the studies, the social issues, etc.  Hassles arise and Chris Allen is the latest to make the headlines.  He'll be the storyline the remainder of the week until MSU plays and his absence, I figure, will hurt, right no matter whether the Spartans play Penn State or MInnesota.  Allen can shoot, when he does and he can defend and he's been doing more of that lately.

     Who knows what the tournament fate is for these Spartans but it requires a lot of breaks going your way and a terrific commitment to excellence, as was displayed a year ago.  MSU hasn't been to the Big Ten Tournament final game since 2000 when the Spartans won it outright and also the year previously.  I don't know how much the MSU players want to win the thing-- it's a three day grind over about two plus days.  What's more significant is NCAA tournament seeding and where MSU is sent.

     My guess is Allen will be back if MSU wins that first game unless he doesn't respond the way his coach wants.  Durrell Summers and Kalin Lucas, let alone Derrick Nix, have all had their issues this season and all are still playing so maybe this latest incident will pass as well.