Tim Bograkos always has been a favorite of MSU head coach Tom Izzo.

But lately, the senior guard has been garnering even more praise from his coach for his hard work and determination.

"He's probably the hardest working, toughest player that we've got the last three or four years," Izzo said. "He's a kid who would do anything for the program or the team.

"He's ready to play, whether it's a minute at the end or a minute at the beginning. I don't know many guys who are able to do that over a four-year period."

Bograkos had four points Sunday in the loss at Indiana and played tough defense against Indiana guard Bracey Wright.

"All the effort-related things that you hope a guy can do, he does them," Izzo said. "That's why he scored those baskets on the break (Sunday), that's why, as far as getting a loose ball or coming up with a defensive play, he's going to get that done every single time, not once in a while."

In 9.6 minutes per game, Bograkos has averaged 1.8 points. But he's had big games at Minnesota and Iowa, including hitting two clutch free throws in the final minutes against the Hawkeyes.

"His shooting has been sporadic, but he's improved other parts of his game," Izzo said.

"His passing has improved from his first couple years when I used to tell him he was the world's worst. There's some definite improvement in that area."

Izzo said he sees a big future in basketball for Bograkos.

"Tim will probably coach someday - Tim will probably work for me someday. Towards retirement, I'm going to want a guy like Tim Bograkos because he's a guy I'd like to see be successful."

Straight to the point

Izzo said he was not happy with his point guards, freshman Drew Neitzel and senior Chris Hill, and their performances against Indiana.

"One of our weaknesses is we're not as strong at that position as some of the teams around the country that have All-Americans at that position," Izzo said.

Hill had a critical turnover in the final minute that possibly cost the Spartans the game when he dribbled the ball off his foot and out of bounds, giving Indiana a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime, which the Hoosiers did.

"We have not been totally satisfied with our point guard play," Izzo said. "That's usually what happens down the stretch, is that somebody has to make good decisions and that has been a problem.

"We made a couple mistakes in the last game down the stretch."

Big fall

Despite beating then-No. 20 Wisconsin on Thursday, MSU fell to No. 14 in the Associated Press Top-25 Poll released Monday.

Illinois held steady at No. 1, and the Badgers dropped to No. 23 after the loss.