I hate doing this, but I have a very strong opinion on the recent allegations against the two unnamed MSU players, and since comments on the story are closed I'd like to use this as a sounding board. Like in the Only Colors original post on this subject please refrain from speculation (despite the fact that most people on campus pretty much know who the players are) and any inappropriate comments since this is a very touchy topic.

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While reading up on the latest from Gary Harris I stumbled upon a related story on rivals.com that has really riled me up. The question this article asks is: Can MSU win the Big Ten without Chris Allen? The basic consensus from the experts answering was: Ehhhh, maybe. In fact one of them went so far as to say that losing Allen pushes the Spartans from a top 3 team to a top 15 team.

I'm sorry, but I frankly don't think that Chris Allen is the difference between being a contender and a pretender. Why? Find out my esteemed opinion after the jump.

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MSU already has verbal commitments from Dwaun Anderson and Brandon Kearney for the class of 2011. Kearney looks solid but not a star, and Anderson as of now seems like he'll peak at maybe 10 ppg. MSU is also heavily pursuing Amir Williams and Mike Chandler, both of whom are stud centers. That's great and I hope State gets one of them (personally I prefer Chandler, he as a good back to the basket game and is a better defender than Williams who is pretty soft).

But aside from Anderson, who is going to replace Chris Allen and Durrell Summers on the wing? Russell Byrd? No, he's more an A.J. Granger type. Kearney or Kieth Appling? No they are better as a two guard.

The point is, look at State's final four teams in the past decade of the Izzo era: 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008 and 2009. What is the common unifying factor? It isn't a dominant center like Hutson, Randolph, Davis or Suton as proved by last year since 2009's best inside post threat was a 6 foot 6 man by the name of Draymond Green. It wasn't rock solid point guard play since although Cleaves, Bell and Lucas (in 2008) were studs, look at the tandem of Neitzel and Hill in 2005, pretty shakey. And of course the mercurial Lucious last year.

No, the unifying factor is dominant wing play. 2000 has Morris Peterson. 2001, Jason Richardson. 2005, Maurice Ager and Shannon Brown. 2008 and 2009 have Durrell Summers on fire. Well do you really think that Dwaun Anderson is the difference maker that will lead to a championship?

MSU is at the point where it should be (and does) competing for a championship every year. And I know this is looking way ahead, but 2011-12 won't be one of those years without a wing threat, because theres still no bona fide inside difference maker since Roe is always injured, Nix still is too fat, Sherman hasn't shown too much and Payne may end up a one and done. Lucious will start at point that year most likely and he's no Cleaves, let alone Lucas, Neitzel or Bell. Theres some solid guards and I think the big men will develop nicely and MSU will certainly be good. But the player they need is Branden Dawson. This kid is Durell on steroids minus the attitude issues. High flying, bug hustle and great all around skills.

Watch this video and voice off your opinion. Am I being too panicky too early? Is there someone besides Dawson who is the answer and am I underestimating Anderson and Kearney?

Branden Dawson Video