Nonleague schedule sums up hopes

EAST LANSING - Tom Izzo's assessment of the 2007-08 season was pretty much the same after a couple days to think on it.

There were "a lot, lot, lot more positives than negatives" in the 27-9 campaign, he said Tuesday at his season-ending media gathering, but with no banners and some inconsistent play, "it didn't quite measure up."

His expectations for next season's team are best illustrated by the nonleague schedule he's putting together. The 2008-09 Spartans will have "a lot more length, a lot more athleticism and I think more depth," Izzo said, and he will challenge them early and often.

MSU's definite opponents include Texas, in either Houston or Dallas, and Kansas at Breslin Center. The Spartans will play in the Old Spice Classic, Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando, Fla.

That field includes Tennessee, Maryland, Gonzaga and Oklahoma State. Memphis was originally one of the eight teams but had to withdraw, although Izzo said the Tigers still may end up in the tournament.

MSU also will take part in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge again, with opponent and site to be determined in June. The Spartans will do another mid-major road trip, at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne.

And MSU is trying to put together another "big one," Izzo said, against a high-profile opponent at Detroit's Ford Field. The 2009 Final Four is at Ford Field, so the Spartans would like to get a taste of the atmosphere, then advance there in March.

MSU loses senior guard Drew Neitzel and senior center Drew Naymick, but returns everyone else and welcomes three heralded freshmen: forwards Delvon Roe and Draymond Green, and guard Korie Lucious.

"I see all of those guys in the playing group," Izzo said of the freshmen.

Roe missed most of his senior year at Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward because of knee surgery. But Izzo said the recovery is ahead of schedule, and that Roe should be cleared for full activity when he arrives on campus in June.

ANOTHER SETBACK: Speaking of knee surgery, MSU junior forward Marquise Gray will have some today to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

He suffered the injury before Thursday's practice in Houston, a day before MSU's season-ending 92-74 loss to Memphis.

Gray, who has had a series of injuries in his MSU career, is expected to be healthy in six to eight weeks. He'll be a fifth-year senior next season.

KEEPING ISAIAH: Izzo essentially offered a public apology to MSU sophomore guard Isaiah Dahlman, who played sparingly this season.

"I don't think his coach treated him fairly," Izzo said of Dahlman. "I think he should have had more of an opportunity."

He didn't, Izzo said, because MSU wanted to make sure the team's young players got as much time as possible. That left Dahlman with few chances.

Izzo and Dahlman will sit down soon to discuss the future. Dahlman could be in line for a redshirt year, which helped former Spartan David Thomas midway through his career.

Izzo said he does not think Dahlman will transfer, although every option will be discussed. Dahlman has said he has no interest in transferring.

"We're gonna do what's best for Isaiah Dahlman," Izzo said. "I do believe he'll be back here."

PLAY IT AGAIN: Most coaches would like another crack at an opponent that just beat them. Izzo was asked if Memphis was an exception, considering how dominant the Tigers are playing.

"I would like to play it over," Izzo responded. "You didn't have to stand on that stage down 50-20 (at halftime), and I did. If anyone's worried about a coach getting a big head. ... The humility of that will last a couple years."

At Houston's Reliant Stadium, the court was raised, with the head coaches sitting alone on stools on the sideline.

Izzo got a word of encouragement from Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland after the game. Leyland, whose team was in Houston for two exhibition games, told Izzo he once lost a game 22-2.

"I said, 'Yeah, but you guys have got dugouts,' " Izzo said.

Contact Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@lsj.com.