You think this is going to be fun? No way. Indiana's trip to Michigan State on Saturday will be tough on both Tom Crean and Tom Izzo, and it has nothing to do with basketball.

The two are friends from way back. Crean was once Izzo's top assistant coach and recruiter at Michigan State. They worked under former Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote back when real basketball players wore really tight shorts.

Now each will work to beat the other, both recognizing the one-sided nature likely to come.

Michigan State is 18-4 and, at 8-2, leads the Big Ten. It is ranked No. 13 and is coming off a 76-47 home destruction of No. 19 Minnesota.

IU is last in the Big Ten and headed for the worst season in school history, although Wednesday's 68-60 victory over Iowa offers hope for better days.

“Tom is doing a great job,” Izzo said. “Look at how far they've come.”

Don't expect the Spartans' play against Indiana to mirror those kind words.

“It's never easy when you're good friends,” Izzo said, “but it happens sometimes in this profession, and it's especially tough when a guy has been on your staff.”

Added Crean: “I want nothing more than he be successful other than when we play him.”

Crean and Izzo faced off in the NCAA Tournament opening round two years ago when Crean was at Marquette. Michigan State won 61-49.

“That was no fun then, and it won't be fun Saturday,” Izzo said. “But we both have a job to do.”

Izzo was one of the first people Crean contacted when the opportunity to coach at Indiana arose last spring. They talk often, usually at least once a week, although communication has likely slowed in the last day or so.

“He's usually one of the first people I hear from after a game,” Crean said. “He's been incredibly supportive. That will never change. You're lucky if you have relationships that can transcend your job. When you have that, you want to hold on to that.”

IU arrives in East Lansing with the confidence that comes from snapping an 11-game losing streak. That, of course, came at home against an Iowa team that is nothing like facing Michigan State on the road.

“We're going up to play the best team in the league,” Crean said. “We'll see one of the best atmospheres in college basketball. We'll have to bring everything we have, and more.”

Adding to the difficulty - IU has lost 14 straight times at the Breslin Center. The last victory came in 1991, when Calbert Cheaney led the way. Last year the Hoosiers lost there 103-74.

“It will be a great challenge,” Crean said. “We have to figure out a way to slow them down.

“We have a plan. We'll see what happens.”

Michigan State had struggled in its previous two home games - losing to Northwestern and Penn State - without junior forward Raymar Morgan, who remains out with walking pneumonia. But the Spartans bounced back against Minnesota.

“This is a team that can defend very well,” Izzo said of his Spartans. “It is still one of our better shooting teams, even though we haven't always shot consistently. It's a great rebounding team and a great running team.

“We get a little confused with Raymar out. That's the frustrating thing - the different pieces that have been out (because of injury and illness). So I don't think we have seen the (real) Michigan State team yet.”

IU's best hope is that the real Spartans stay far, far away.

Indiana (6-15, 1-8)

Player	Ht	Pos	PPG
Nick Williams	6-4	G	8.8
Verdell Jones	6-5	G	8.5
Devan Dumes	6-2	G	14.2
Tom Pritchard	6-9	F	11.4
Kyle Taber	6-8	F	4.1

Michigan State (18-4, 8-2)

Player	Ht	Pos	PPG
Kalin Lucas	6-0	G	15.0
Travis Walton	6-2	G	6.0
Durrell Summers	6-4	G	11.0
Goran Suton	6-10	C	9.9
Delvon Roe	6-8	F	5.1

The pick: Michigan State 81, Indiana 60 — By Pete DiPrimio of The News-Sentinel