“You fail some, and you learn from it that it drives you,” Izzo said. “I think I have got some driven guys, which I think is really a key right now. People are driven to be great, and when you fall down, or you aren’t as successful, you either stay down or jump up.”

Izzo is entering his 32nd season with what he calls one of his deepest teams ever. Upwards of 11 players will be in and out of the rotation.

Depth was an issue for MSU last season. Four players averaged more than 25 minutes per game, and foul trouble or injuries would make the difference between a win and a loss.

This year, Izzo says he has enough players he is comfortable with in case the intangibles play a factor, a luxury that wasn't previously available.

“I am going to throw a lot of people at a lot of guys,” Izzo said. “I think I have a team that could be really, really versatile. I could play really small, or really big.”

MSU is returning eight players from last year's team and has brought in four freshmen and one transfer portal addition.

Junior guard Jeremy Fears Jr. will play a key role in reaching the team's Final Four goal. In addition to improving his jump shot and athleticism over the summer, Izzo says Fears has handled the expectations for himself and the team.

“There are only high expectations if you don’t have high expectations for yourself,” Izzo said. “There are things he wants to accomplish; there are things he has. He has shown me very little entitlement.”

Sophomore center Jesse McCulloch has played sparingly in his Spartan career over two seasons. He appeared in 28 games last year, averaging just 7.5 minutes per game after redshirting his freshman season.

With Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper departing the frontcourt, MSU has an opportunity for a player to step into a larger role this season. Izzo praised McCulloch's dedication to improving his athleticism, jump shot and leadership.

“The seniors are supposed to make progress, but for Jesse, he came on, and when everybody went home, he stayed here,” Izzo said. “You kind of get what you deserve in life, and I think he is one who has gotten what he’s deserved.”

Outside of McCulloch, another center Izzo says has been a “surprise” and has taken strides over the summer is freshman Ethan Taylor.

So far, Taylor has flashed speed and hands to pair with his 7-foot-2 length. Over the summer, Taylor has “made as much progress as anybody,” Izzo said, and has been working on his endurance consistently.

“As always, with most big guys, the motor has got to keep going,” Izzo said. “You have got to have a high motor to play at this level, and he is making some serious progress in that area.”

The Spartans continue their preseason play with an exhibition game at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, against UConn.