The Michigan State Spartans (22-4, 11-2 Big Ten) may be rolling red hot as they head into what could be their toughest showdown of the year with a blazing Indiana (23-3, 11-2) team on Tuesday night, but on Sunday, team captain Derrick Nix told reporters he was tired of feeling like he and his fellow players were being overlooked in the grand scheme of things.
"I just watch a lot of basketball, and a lot of guys get credit that…I think there are a lot of overrated players out there," Nix said. "Like me and (Adreian) Payne, I feel like there are a lot of underrated players.
"I just feel that way. I don't know if it's us as players, I don't know if it's Michigan State, I just don't know what it is. I just feel like none of us get credit.''
It may feel that way to Nix, the Spartans' lone senior, but after handing Big Ten opponent Nebraska a decisive loss by a score of 73-64 on Saturday night, it's all but a guaranteed certainty that current-No. 8 Michigan State will rise to the top five rankings in the country when the polls are released sometime today.
And as for Tuesday's massive showdown with the Hoosiers? Well, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo knows it will certainly not be any easy task to walk away with a win against not only one of the the Big Ten's best teams, but with one of the best teams in the country all-around.
"It's gonna take an incredible effort by the team, and by the fans," Izzo said.
As for the coach's game plan concerning the tough match up? Simple. Bring everything they've got and leave nothing in the locker room.
"We have no choice," Izzo added, "but to let it all hang out, each game."
You can follow MSU Examiner, Michael Ferro, at twitter.com/MichaelFerro.
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