Michigan State center Goran Suton lately is playing with the force befitting a 6-10, 23-year-old man.

Suton's teammate, sophomore point guard Kalin Lucas, refuses to get rattled, whether he's facing full-court pressure or half-court traps.

Senior guard Travis Walton's confidence must be sky high after holding Louisville's Terrence Williams to one field goal in MSU's regional final win last weekend.

These are some of the reasons Michigan State can win the school's third NCAA title.

Forget for a minute the Spartans' roles as sentimental favorites, playing just 90 miles from their campus.

The Spartans are peaking just in time for their national semifinal Saturday against Connecticut after weathering injuries and illness that repeatedly disrupted their attempts at continuity.

"I heard an interview with (coach) Jay Wright from Villanova the other day," MSU coach Tom Izzo said this week. "He said, 'It sounds crazy, but I think my team's getting better at the end of the year.' I laughed. … I've been saying that for a while."

The biggest question mark for MSU is junior forward Raymar Morgan, who had only four points in two regional games.

Morgan had a pivotal role in the first half of the season. He scored 20 or more in six games and had 10 or more rebounds in five games by early January. He was a favorite to be Big Ten player of the year, an honor that ultimately went to his teammate, Lucas.

Later in January, Morgan struggled with flu-like symptoms that turned into walking pneumonia and eventually mononucleosis. He needed about six weeks to recover. His play has been spotty since.

In the NCAA tournament, his confidence seems to be sinking. It didn't help that a teammate inadvertently broke his nose with an elbow in the regional semifinal against Kansas.

Nevertheless, Izzo believes Morgan can be a factor.

"After coming back and playing pretty well in some games, he struggled a little bit lately," Izzo said. "But I still know how good he is. And I still think he could be one of the surprise players in this tournament."

Morgan isn't the only one slumping. Freshman Delvon Roe, who had two knee surgeries before the season, has hit a wall.

Yet others are filling in admirably, a tribute to MSU's depth. Sophomore Durrell Summers scored 12 against Louisville, and freshman Draymond Green had 10 rebounds.

The Spartans, nine of whom are from Michigan, might feel a burden, carrying the hopes of so many in a state hit so hard by the economic crisis.

Izzo, who has been to five Final Fours in 11 years, will have the players ready for the madness.

"Once you get to Detroit … it gets to be a little bit of a crazy atmosphere," he said. "You've got to make sure you have your work done before you get there."