For the MSU men's basketball team to succeed this year, two players who dwelled in the shadows last season are going to be forced to step in and make an impact.

Those two — sophomores Maurice Joseph and Goran Suton — will be counted on to not only provide depth and quality minutes, but also provide a scoring punch, head coach Tom Izzo said.

Suton was a regular part of the revolving door at power forward last season, but struggled to string together consistent performances. He was almost nonexistent during the Big Ten season, logging more than 20 minutes in a game only three times.

Joseph played even more sparingly last season, averaging 2.45 minutes in 22 games. He made only six baskets all season.

But this season, Izzo expects both to take on much larger roles.

"I want to bring more scoring to the team, because that's what we're going to need," Suton said. "I also want to add a lot of rebounding and just help lead the team."

Izzo has been very complementary of Suton, calling him the team's best big man since practice began.

"He's really shot the ball well," Izzo said. "He's got incredible post moves. He's got better post moves than anybody we've had here since Zach Randolph. His weight's the best it's been and his conditioning is the best it's been."

Izzo said Joseph has been improving steadily in practice.

"Every time there's a game coming up and the season's about to start, everyone has a sense of urgency," Joseph said. "Everyone's moving a little harder, everyone's a little more focused, practice is a little more intense. I think that has a little bit to do with it."

Izzo said if there was one person he was disappointed with last season, it was Joseph, who struggled with the transition from his Canadian high school to the college game. But with the heat turned up this season, Joseph has responded.

"He's going to get a real long look," Izzo said. "Maybe longer than he'd like."

Morgan out

Freshman forward Raymar Morgan, MSU's projected starter at small forward, will be out for tonight's exhibition game against Grand Valley State after injuring his shoulder in a collision with sophomore center Idong Ibok during practice.

"The problem with missing Raymar is that he needs to get some reps," Izzo said. "He's got to be a 30-minute-a-game guy."

Izzo hopes to have Morgan back by Sunday's exhibition game against Northern Michigan, but has no plans to rush him back into the lineup.

"I really need him back by Sunday," Izzo said. "The good news is that it's not separated. It doesn't look like it's anything major."

Izzo said Joseph will take Morgan's starting spot.

Lineup decisions

The starting backcourt of junior Drew Neitzel and sophomore Travis Walton has been set in stone for a while, but the question remained of who was going to start at power forward and center.

Izzo answered that question Monday when he announced that Suton and junior Drew Naymick would fill the remaining gaps in the lineup.

Sophomore forward Marquise Gray would've been an ideal candidate to start, Izzo said, but a minor ankle sprain withdrew his name from consideration.

Izzo said freshman guard Isaiah Dahlman will be the first substitute off the bench.