Neitzel emerges as savior for Izzo, thin Spartans

One after another, Tom Izzo rattled off the names of some of the great scorers he has been around, from Steve Smith to Mo Ager, from Shawn Respert to Morris Peterson. The Michigan State coach spoke for a good three minutes, then explained what they all had in common and what makes them different from current Spartans standout Drew Neitzel.

Tom Izzo is finding Drew Neitzel to be his difference-maker. (US PRESSWIRE)

"Our leading scorers have never guarded anybody," Izzo said. "It was un-American for them to guard people. But this poor kid, he has to do both."

Do both.

Do it all.

Truth is, it's difficult to distinguish where Neitzel's responsibilities begin and end these days. He has transformed from a complementary point guard to a go-win-the-game combo guard in the matter of a year, and the 6-0 junior is the main reason -- perhaps the only reason besides Izzo himself -- Michigan State is off to a 12-2 start despite a roster that lacked overall talent when the season began and is way worse now thanks to injuries.

"It has been an adjustment," Neitzel acknowledged. "But as a player you like the responsibility, and this is why you play."

Wisconsin's Alando Tucker is fabulous. Ohio State's Greg Oden is incredible. But even in a league that could separately produce the national Player of the Year (Tucker) and top pick in the NBA Draft (Oden), it's possible no Big Ten player means more to the success of his team than Neitzel means to Michigan State.

Think about it.

Without Tucker, Wisconsin wouldn't be a Final Four contender. That's clear. But the Badgers would still have Kammron Taylor, Brian Butch and Bo Ryan's track record of winning. So they'd be OK. As for Ohio State, well, we've already seen what the Buckeyes would be without Oden. They'd be a team capable of pushing North Carolina on its home court, just a 3-point shooting collection of talent led by Daequan Cook, Ron Lewis and Mike Conley Jr. So they'd be OK, too.

But Michigan State?

The Spartans would not be OK without Neitzel.

"I'd probably be looking for a job," Izzo joked. "Even with Final Fours, you're probably looking for a job if you're 1-50. He really has done a lot for us."

How much?