Preview: Spartan surprise?

Tom Izzo’s optimism and Draymond Green’s leadership put MSU in position for a comeback season By Steve Hendershot Friday’s Carrier Classic in San Diego marks the season-opening game for two traditional college basketball powers, North Carolina and Michigan State. The game is unique in several respects: The teams are playing on an aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Carl Vinson; the game will be played outdoors; and President Obama will be in the stands. According to the forecast, it may even rain. What isn’t unique, however, is that the Tar Heels are heavy favorites. UNC has beaten MSU in recent seasons even when the games were supposed to be close, most notably an 89-72 whipping to decide the 2009 NCAA Tournament championship. This year, Sparty looks even more like an underdog, checking in as an “also receiving votes” team in both the AP and Coaches polls after a disappointing 2010-11 season in which MSU finished seventh in the Big Ten despite being ranked second in the country in the pr...