Tom Izzo wants more from you.

The MSU head coach is looking for better crowd support. He said before the season he was worried that fans have become numb to success because of the team's recent history of Final Four appearances, and his concerns haven't been helped by sparse crowds at MSU's first few home games.

"I hope we're not getting fat and sassy," Izzo said.

MSU has reported a sellout in each of its seven home games thus far, but plenty of empty seats have been visible in both the Izzone and the regular-seating sections. The Spartans lack the "superstar" personality of recent seasons, but Izzo said there's still plenty of appeal.

"This team, I think, is deserving (of crowd support) — just how hard they play," Izzo said. "We're not as exciting of a team, but we are kind of a community team. I think you could fall in love with a lot of the guys on our team. They're really good guys, and I think they could relate to them real well."

Part of the problem may stem from scheduling, Izzo admitted. With college football's season extending into the first week of January, college hoops has to fight for exposure. But Izzo stressed that regardless of the circumstances, the Spartans rely on the crowd to provide a boost.

"The fans mean a lot to me," Izzo said. "They're a part of why we win here."

Keeping in touch

Shannon Brown, who departed from MSU in the spring after his junior season, recently cracked the starting lineup for the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He started the last four games for the Cavs and scored a career-high 10 points against the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Brown is averaging just less than three points per game on the season.

The 6-foot-4, 211-pound guard visited East Lansing on Monday, Izzo said.

"I think he misses me yelling at him," Izzo said.

Another former Spartan, Alan Anderson, was waived by the Charlotte Bobcats last Monday.

"I talked to Alan last week," Izzo said. "He more or less got cut because of his injuries. His back — he's had spasms, he's had problems."

Izzo said he expects Anderson to land with another squad soon.

"He's had a couple of people inquiring already," Izzo said. "He's gotta get healthy. Especially a back or knees — that's a little shakier. People don't want to take as many chances on you."

"I'm 90 percent sure he'll get picked up. He's played well enough."

Ranked … barely

MSU crept into the 25th spot in this week's ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, its first appearance in a Top 25 poll this season. The Spartans are ranked 37th in this week's Associated Press poll.