CHICAGO -- Leadership, chemistry, distractions.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo used those words together often in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, lamenting the lack of the first two and the frequency of the third.

Last season, the distractions faded and the leadership and chemistry were strong. The Spartans won a share of the Big Ten and their first Big Ten tournament in 12 years, collecting a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.

Draymond Green was responsible for most of that leadership, with help from fellow senior Austin Thornton. The No. 14 Spartans are starting over there, but Izzo says he likes what he sees through two weeks of preseason practice and with an exhibition game Tuesday against Northwood (Fla.).

"You know what I think we have right now? Not as good leadership, but as good or better chemistry," Izzo said. "I mean, you watch practice, guys just seem to ... I don't know. There's a different respect for everyone. Probably because everybody's on a similar level.

"I think the difference in our talent, we've got three or four really talented guys, but the difference is not major."

Last season, Green was the face of the program, a consensus All-America, the Big Ten player of the year and the NABC national player of the year.

Now there is no clear star or go-to player, and the captains are senior center Derrick Nix and sophomore guard Russell Byrd. Junior point guard Keith Appling is trying to be more vocal as well.

The Spartans are hoping their closeness as a team will compensate for the lack of a dominant voice.

"The crazy part is, I didn't think we would bond like we did after Draymond left, but we picked right up," Nix said. "The freshmen came in; they're pretty cool. We're just a close team."

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Tom Izzo likes what he sees of Michigan State's chemistry, unity