Suton not sure if he will face Tar Heels

EAST LANSING - When asked after Sunday's victory over Wichita State if center Goran Suton would play against North Carolina on Wednesday, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said: "I doubt it very much."

But the Spartan men's basketball team got a glimmer of hope on Monday when Suton partially participated in the team's walk-through practice.

It was the first time the former Everett standout had done any basketball-related activities since spraining his knee against IPFW on Nov. 19.

He said he is about 60-70 percent, day-to-day, and hopeful he can play when the No. 12 ranked Spartans (4-1) face their biggest test of the season at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday when they host the top-ranked Tar Heels (6-0) at Ford Field in Detroit.

"It's still up in the air if I am going to play or not," Suton said. "Hopefully I will and I'm just excited to help these guys out as much as I can."

During Monday's light practice, Suton was able to do the up and down running and said he felt good doing lateral movements.

He said the knee bothers him the most when he starts and stops.

Suton, MSU's best post player, missed all three games during last weekend's Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla.

However, the magnitude of Wednesday's game could be enough for him to try and play.

"This is like a Final Four before the Final Four," Suton said. "All my heart is in it and I want to play so bad. Even if I get in for a couple minutes, I can just say I was a part of it."

His teammates are also well aware of how much Suton's presence can help them in their effort to upset the No. 1 Tar Heels.

"He is one of our upperclassmen and he brings that leadership," fellow senior Marquise Gray said. "He is also the leading rebounder and third leading scorer on the team so him coming back would be a plus."

Suton said they will know more about his availability today, but he will dress for the game and the decision to play or not will primarily be up to him.

Regardless if Suton plays or not, the MSU frontcourt is in for a daunting task.

UNC will bring the nation's best player to Detroit: 6-foot-9 power forward Tyler Hansbrough.

Hansbrough is the reigning national player of the year, a three-time All-American and on pace to become the school's career scoring leader.

The last time Hansbrough faced MSU was in the second round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament when the top-seeded Tar Heels beat the ninth-seeded Spartans, 81-67.

In the game, Hansbrough had 33 points and nine rebounds.

MEANS MORE TO ROE: After a publicized recruiting battle between MSU and UNC, on April 17, 2007, Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward forward Delvon Roe announced his attentions to play for Izzo.

Wednesday will be Roe's first opportunity to play against UNC.

"I'd be lying if I said it didn't (mean more to me)," Roe said of playing UNC. "I just have to go out there with the same mindset like its any other game."

He said Monday that there are no hard feelings between him and North Carolina. He added that his decision was based primarily on location.

"Like I always said, whatever I could get at North Carolina 13 hours away, I could get at Michigan State four hours away from home," Roe said. "This program is just as good as any other program in the country."

ALLEN HOPES TO SHOW MORE: After a disappointing weekend in Orlando that saw him shoot just 5-of-19 from the floor, including 1-of-8 from 3-point range, sophomore guard Chris Allen is hoping to regain his form in time for Wednesday.

"I kind of just existed," Allen said of his tournament performance. "I wasn't really doing too much for the team and helping out as much as I could."

Izzo said Sunday he "wanted to make it clear publicly" that Allen always has the green light.

"They just told me he said that so that is like a relief off my shoulders." Allen said.

What could help in his improved shooting is the arena.

The last time he shot in a football venue was in last year's Sweet Sixteen at Houston's Reliant Stadium .

In the game, Allen scored 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting.

"I shot pretty good in that gym and I hope that carries over."