This season appears to be no different, but when the No. 2 Spartans (1-0) take on South Carolina (1-0) at 10 p.m. Tuesday at Breslin Center, Izzo said his players likely will get a taste of their own medicine.

“They’re going to go up and down 100 mph,” Izzo said of the Gamecocks. “Their whole philosophy is run, run, run all the time, but they press, press, press.”

South Carolina, which was one of only two teams to beat Kentucky in the regular season last year, is coming off a 94-79 win against Elon in its first game of the season. And after watching the Gamecocks, Izzo said they looked as explosive as his team did in its 96-66 season-opening win against Eastern Michigan on Friday.

In their season-opening win, the Gamecocks were led by forward Sam Muldrow’s 20 points and a double-double from forward Lakeem Jackson.

Fortunately for Izzo, who said the Spartans have been practicing against six or seven players to prepare for South Carolina’s full-court press, MSU will be close to full strength thanks to the returns of senior guard Mike Kebler and junior guard Korie Lucious.

Kebler sat out of the Spartans’ season opener Friday night with an ankle injury, but Izzo said he will be available tonight if needed. Meanwhile, Lucious was suspended for MSU’s first exhibition and regular-season game, but was allowed to play in the second exhibition matchup.

“After I played that first game and knowing I had to sit out another one, I kind of felt teased,” Lucious said. “I’ve been working hard in practice every day, and I’m just ready to get back out on the court with my teammates in a game.”

The return of both players will be welcomed by the Spartans as they prepare for what Izzo called one of the most athletic teams MSU will play all season.

With Lucious back in the lineup, senior guard Kalin Lucas, who said he still is not 100 percent after rupturing his left Achilles’ tendon last March, will have help handling the Gamecocks’ press and also a chance for some extra breathers throughout the game.

“Having Korie back is big for us,” Lucas said. “Korie can play the one-guard and the two for us, plus, it gives me some rest.”

Although Lucas doesn’t have all of his quickness and explosiveness back following the injury, he said he is looking forward to the fast-paced matchup tonight.

“It’s going to be a fun game,” Lucas said. “We’re going to run, and they’re going to run as well.”

To add to the excitement, the game against South Carolina is the finale of the ESPN Tip-Off Marathon, which began at midnight Monday and includes 24 straight hours of college basketball.

Izzo said the late tip is not ideal, but could prepare the Spartans for potential late games during the NCAA Tournament. And with the 10 p.m. start coming in the middle of the week, Izzo also said he feels for the fans but still hopes to see a big crowd at Breslin.

“I feel a little bad for the fans because I think it’s a little later than they’d like it to be, but I’d like to tell them we need them because it’s also one of the anchor games on the 24 hours of
basketball,” Izzo said. “It’s nice to be in the position where you’re thought of as one of the teams to have in key spots.”