As MSU men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo enters his seventh season at the helm, he said he plans on taking the same course he used to win four straight Big Ten titles.

“What I think what we’ve done, we have a blueprint of what it takes,” Izzo said at media day Wednesday. “I think we’ve been lead by some incredible guys both on the court, off the court, in the classroom to tell us what the correct way is to get to the final outcome.

“And the final outcome for our players is hopefully to win championships. Hopefully to graduate and then hopefully to move onto the NBA.”

What separates the 2001-02 Spartans from Izzo’s other teams is their numbers and their youth - this team has only eight scholarship players and one senior, walk-on guard Mat Ishbia.

“It’s a different team,” Izzo said. “We’re extremely, extremely young and extremely short in numbers.”

But Izzo still likes his team’s chances and said this year could be similar to the 1998 team. MSU was picked to finish at the bottom of the conference, but ended up winning the Big Ten and made the NCAA Tournament, losing in the Sweet 16 to North Carolina.

“(Our team is) like in 1998 when we were very young,” Izzo said.

“We’re just trying to make some comparisons to give our guys reason to think that we’re not looking to rebuild, we’re not looking to just have a good team. We’re still looking to have a championship team and program.”

And Izzo said after their improvements over the summer, he is expecting sophomore guard Marcus Taylor and junior forward Al Anagonye to lead the Spartans this season.

“I thought Marcus and Al had to step up a couple of notches to be not only the best players, but maybe the star players,” Izzo said. “I don’t know if Taylor is the most improved player, but the player that has played the best by far on both ends of the court is Marcus. And that is very encouraging and exciting for me.”

And Anagonye said he’s ready for a leadership role.

“At Michigan State we have the staple that the oldest people lead,” Anagonye said. “And I’ve been here the longest, and I know what’s going on, so it’s something we have to work for. ”

But Taylor said he knew his situation would be different and has accepted his newfound responsibilities this season.

“I knew it was going to be a totally different situation for me (this year),” Taylor said. “So I wanted to prepare myself the best I could coming into this year. Just like every other year I’ve been preparing myself the best I can for the situation I’m in. I realize the situation is going to be different for me this year.

“I think it works out a lot better for me (this season) because guys accept it. I realize it’s something I have to do because I’m the point guard.”

Even if the leaders seem to be speaking up early, Izzo said he understands the team’s youthfulness will require a different approach.

But in true Izzo fashion, he guaranteed the staples of his system will not change in 2002.

“I’m going to be more patient and understanding this season, but not less demanding,” Izzo said.