Serving as an early barometer, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo consistently and purposefully throws upper-echelon teams on his nonconference schedule to test his team's stomach. 

So far, so good. Izzo's asking-for-it mentality when it comes to clashing with the big boys has paid dividends in the form of six Final Fours and Big Ten supremacy. 

A chip on the shoulder would benefit the Spartans this year. The loss to coach Mike Krzyzewski's Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet 16 was more than a loss. It's also more than enough motivation for players such as Gary Harris, Adreian Payne and Keith Appling, who lead a group poised to...

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