The Spartan Word

As we wrap up the 2011-12 basketball season, let’s take an early look at next year’s team and hand out some pre-season starting lineup projections. Now of course, these lineups could change at any point, but here are three projected starting lineups that Tom Izzo could go with next season.

Option One

PG: Keith Appling

SG: Gary Harris

SF: Branden Dawson

PF: Adreian Payne

C: Derrick Nix

Talent wise, I think this is the best lineup that the Spartans can put on the floor next season, and if it were to work, this would be one of, if not the top front court in the nation. However, the key phrase in that previous sentence is, “if it were to work.”

Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix rarely played together this past season. Part of that is because Draymond Green played the power forward position when he was on the floor, but the other part is because both Payne and Nix spent the entire season playing the 5 spot.

It is no secret that the biggest challenge for next year’s team will be to find a way to replace Green. At this point (and again, a lot could change in the offseason) the Spartans don’t have a true power forward ready to step in and start right away. That is why we could see Payne move to power forward, and Nix inserted into the starting lineup at center.

Payne’s strength is certainly inside, but he has shown glimpses of a mid-range game, with the ability to knock down that 12-15 foot jumper. He has the natural athletic ability to step out and guard power forwards on the perimeter, but the question is–can he adjust to playing that power forward position, alongside Nix?

If Dawson can return to full health, he will maintain his role in the starting lineup alongside mainstays Keith Appling and Payne. Gary Harris, considered by many to be the top high school shooting guard in the country this year, should be able to step in and filling a score gap left by the departure of Brandon Wood.

Again, if this lineup can work, this would form one of the top front lines in all of college basketball.

Option Two

PG: Keith Appling

SG: Gary Harris

SF: Branden Dawson

PF: Alex Gauna

C: Adreian Payne

While taking a first look at this lineup here, the initial spot that immediately stands out is power forward, where Alex Gauna is slated to start. Of course, Gauna was relegated to primarily mop-up-duty this past season, due to his suspect defense and rebounding ability. But keep in mind that Gauna was only a redshirt freshman this past season, and given the opportunity to work with the starters this off-season, we could see drastic improvements from him on the defensive end, at least that is the hope.

Guys like Keith Appling, Brandon Wood and Derrick Nix were not very good defenders when they arrived at Michigan State. But anyone who follows this MSU program knows that Tom Izzo is a mastermind when it comes to teaching defense. A full offseason of work on the defensive end could make Gauna starter-worthy because his offensive game is already developed. This will be an interesting development as the off-season progresses this year.

If Gauna is not able to take that next step, look for incoming freshman Matt Costello to spend a lot of time at the power forward position and perhaps even wrap up the starting power forward spot later on in the season.

As for the rest of the lineup, Appling, Dawson and Payne should remain in their normal starting roles, and Harris should step into a starting role and provide plenty of scoring right away.

Option Three

PG: Travis Trice

SG: Keith Appling

SF: Gary Harris

PF: Branden Dawson

C: Adreian Payne

This is the starting lineup that my former co-worker Joe Rexrode predicted for the Spartans next season. And while it may startle people to see three guards and an undersized power forward in the starting five, this is certainly a capable lineup with a ton of athleticism at all five positions.

The key here to whether or not this lineup will stick, is the development of point guard Travis Trice. The soon-to-be sophomore guard had a great start to his freshman season, but he was plagued with ongoing groin and ankle injuries throughout the second half of the year. With a full season dedicated to getting healthy and adding some bulk to his thin frame, Trice could very-well be ready to step into a starting role in 2012-13. After all, he is the most natural point guard on this MSU roster and has the ability to penetrate and create his own shot on the offensive end.

This lineup would have Appling moving to shooting guard, which is primarily what he played in high school and in his freshman season at MSU before making the move to point guard this past season. Appling needs to improve his shooting if he is going to make this move, but regardless, he will still play plenty of point guard next season, whether he starts there or not.

The story with this lineup is that it is small, but freakishly athletic. Harris and Dawson would both be playing out of position, but both have the size and strength to match up with opposing players at that spot.

If Izzo wants to play a lineup that can get out and run, then this is his best bet right here.

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