Michigan State Basketball: Constructing ideal Izzo era NCAA tourney team

Michigan State Basketball: Constructing ideal Tom Izzo era NCAA Tournament team

DETROIT - APRIL 06: Kalin Lucas #1 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Ford Field on April 6, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 22: Draymond Green #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts as he runs back down court in the second half while taking on the Louisville Cardinals during the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball West Regional Semifinal game at US Airways Center on March 22, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Power Forward: Draymond Green (2008-12)

This one’s a no-brainer. No all-time Michigan State tourney team would be complete without Draymond Green. The Saginaw-native really made a name for himself during his senior season in 2011-12 when he became the NBAC Player of the Year as well as the Big Ten Player of the Year.

Green took after Magic Johnson and became a triple-double threat every time he hit the floor and he could handle the ball, pass it, rebound it and shoot it from the forward position. He was one of the most unique players in Michigan State history and that has led to him being one of the more impressive all-around players in the NBA — and Defensive Player of the Year.

The Spartan great averaged just 11.4 minutes per game as a freshman and then improved to 33.2 minutes as a senior — could we soon see the same thing with Xavier Tillman? He also went from 3.3 points per game to 16.2. He averaged a double-double in his senior season.

Draymond was a fantastic all-around player and an even better leader, which would make him the captain of this all-time Izzo era tournament team.

This team would be mean.

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