I've already made a bet in the office-- MSU's men's basketball team will be 13-2 heading to Wisconsin for its January 3rd game.  The only difficult games left at Florida State at home and at Gonzaga and if this team continues to improve, I see too many athletes to not contend for the Big Ten title.  I don't see a monster team in the Big Ten-- even Ohio State.  I know it's early and that's why I think State will improve and despite the losses to North Carolina and Duke, I still think there is value in playing those games.

     I think MSU has some good athletes and while there is some tinkering to do with the lineup, every team goes through this in November and December.  Injuries could be a factor, but I don't see gloom and doom.  MSU will improve and while injuries could be a hazard over the long season this will be a team that I think becomes more and more difficult to play as the NCAA tournament approaches four months away-- man that seems like a long season!