Iowa 16-3, 6-3
Iowa is pretty tough this year, but their RPI hasn't been great. That ought to change as time goes on and they get more quality wins like this.

RPI 30, SOS 6

Michigan St. 11-9, 7-3
MSU just barely squeaks by in a game that they should've won handily.

RPI 52, SOS 15

Hmm, I guess I missed posting a game. Well, the Spartans lost.

5 losses in a row, season's essentially done. Still, lots of improvement and only Ching will be leaving, so they should be better next year.

The Michigan State Spartans, Season 37, Pre-Recruiting:

Name	Yr.	Pos.	ATH	SPD	REB	DE	BLK	LP	PE	BH	P	WE	ST	DU	FT	TOT
Edmund Snyder	Sr.	PG	88	99	18	67	17	18	83	99	92	69	73	37	B+	760
Dale Lacombe	So.	PG	65	94	14	75	19	1	86	92	94	63	83	99	A	785
Robert Simpson	Sr.	SG	80	99	34	94	16	11	99	70	92	67	86	95	B	843
William Hodges	So.	SG	73	81	17	83	13	18	86	67	73	54	77	78	C-	720
Armand Russo	So.	SG	88	89	29	98	12	35	81	90	83	51	78	89	B	823
Mark McLean	Sr.	SF	55	83	66	44	50	73	93	70	67	67	73	91	B-	832
Frank Nelson	So.	SF	78	66	51	93	41	64	66	64	49	58	76	63	A-	769
Christopher Bruce	Sr.	PF	88	69	99	90	98	85	35	18	51	84	82	68	B-	867
Christopher Warren	So.	PF	82	64	92	93	79	81	30	29	34	66	91	59	C+	800
Sheldon Dixon	Sr.	C	93	31	99	64	96	99	1	1	77	89	96	95	B-	841
Averages	-	-	79	78	52	80	44	48	66	60	71	67	82	77	-	804

Kun Ching was not drafted.

I'd say the team needs two big men. Frontcourt depth is always helpful, and both will be absolutely necessary after this season ends (One is probably truly required for this season, but Warren should fill both backup roles well, and be the equivalent of a third starter).

#5 PF, #7 Overall, *****; no promises. Well, how do you like that? Here's the best recruit in the history of Michigan State, as far as I know. Positives? Ratings and potential in nearly every important category. Negatives? Free Throw shooting - that's it! The question about James Donahue isn't whether he'll make the NBA, it's when. Personally, I'd prefer it happen after his senior year, but that's pretty unlikely.

Thoughts and outlook:

PG - Snyder has a distinct advantage over LaCombe for the time being, with athleticism being a very important rating, regardless of the position. I think that more than offsets the slight advantages LaCombe has in stamina, defense, perimeter shooting, and FT shooting. Plus, there aren't any abiding promises to start LaCombe this year. The two will probably split time evenly, with LaCombe acting as an extra starting-quality player so there is little-to-no-let-down at the PG position throughout every game.

SG - Russo is a better all-around athlete than Simpson, who is best suited to be an off-the-bench spark as a 3-point specialist. Hodges should have redshirted last year and would be well served by agreeing to a redshirt this year. There will be next-to-no playing time available for the sophomore backup.

SF - McLean's defense should keep him in a backup role, in spite of his fine shooting. Nelson will continue to improve and should be a fine SF by the end of the season, although he'll likely never be anything but an afterthought on the team, cleaning up through hustle and defense.

PF / C- Christopher Bruce should come into his own this season. He's got good ability across the board for PF, though he could shoot FTs a bit better; the team may keep him around for another season, due to his freshman year being spent on the bench as an academically ineligible recruit. Sheldon Dixon gives a polished, albeit limited, senior presence at the C position. Christopher Warren provides excellent quality depth for both front line positions; he should make a top-notch 6th man, and will continue to develop into a star. James Donahue will play the same role as Christopher Warren, just one spot lower on the depth chart for both PF and C.

-----------------

This team looks excellent to me. I think they have the capability to win the National Championship this year. Christopher Warren could conceivably take over Sheldon Dixon's starting spot by the time the postseason rolls around - but for the time being, the team needs the low post presence of the senior - and Nelson could become very valuable (as a garbage-man, though, the traditional role in many offenses for the SF).

In my opinion, Michigan State outgrows its youthful jitters from last year and asserts itself. There is no way that the squad should miss the NT, and I think it should be able to go head-to-head with anyone.

[edit, 6/3/09:]

The academically ineligible PF went to JuCo, and the team is ranked 15th in DI, to start out the season.

Louisiana St. 0-1
Very lopsided victory. LSU's not that bad, either. Not great, but not terrible.

Washington St. 0-2
This is a great win. The team was down 8 points at the half. We grabbed the lead with 40 seconds . Washington State is ranked. Just huge.

ranked 13th

Michigan St. 2-1
Well, you run into these sometimes. Kentucky is ranked 3rd for a reason and they had a game where they couldn't miss.

Michigan St. 3-1
A win against a SIM AI team. All wins are helpful, though, ultimately, when you play in a power conference.

ranked 14th