MSU Basketball Media Day Recap
by KJ@theonlycolors on Oct 12, 2010 9:32 PM CDT
in Michigan State Spartans Basketball
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PrintThere's not a lot of media day coverage out there in the, um, media yet. They must all be waiting for the morning runs. I'm working mostly off the Twitter feeds of the State News Sports Desk and Lisa Byington. AP article is here. Links to videos/podcasts of Izzo and the players are here if someone wants to watch/listen and fill in any missing tidbits. Bulleted info of the new-ish variety:
- Izzo indicates Alex Gauna and Garrick Sherman are redshirt candidates. I'm little surprised to see Sherman mentioned, but I suppose he could take a year to add some more weight while Green/Roe/Nix/Payne man the front line. Still, I don't see Tom Izzo holding back any workable options on the court in a year in which the goals are as big as they are this year.
- Izzo says he's not sure about Russell Byrd redshirting. Seems likely given that he'll get such a late start on the season (my opinion), but, again, if his 3-point shooting is an asset at some point in conference/NCAA play, you have to seriously consider using him.
- Izzo on Kalin Lucas (in Twitter speak): "doesn't have all speed yet...conditioning pretty good. He won't be same 1st month of season. he has rehabbed better than any player I have had here." Says Lucas' jumpshot is improved due to being slowed down by the injury.
- On Summers: "Durrell had the best summer. He's in the best shape of his life. Runs effortlessly."
- Draymond down 10-12 pounds. Derrick Nix down to 270.
- Austin Thornton's mysterious offseason injury was two broken vertebrae in his back. He missed six weeks but is back now.
- Delvon Roe says his knee feels "150%." Note that this can be a mathematically accurate statement if you define 100% as the level he's now played two full collegiate seasons at.
- Korie Lucious may not play in the opener against Eastern due to possible suspension or injury. Doesn't sound like anything's been decided. Lucious: "I made a mistake and have to deal with the consequences. I'm going to take my punishment because I did the crime. Whatever coach decides, I'll just have to deal with it."
- Dave Mayo states definitively that Lucious won't plan in the opener (I tend to trust the less definitive State News report); he also says Izzo speculated that Lucious could be back on court late next week, which is good news.
- Izzo says the team may need to play some zone defense because of lineups. Quote: "That's foreign territory for me." I'm a bit skeptical here. MSU hasn't played zone defense for any significant amount of time since the 2006-07 season when the team's lack of depth forced Izzo to use it to avoid foul trouble inside. Izzo may be toying with the idea--potentially as a way to compensate for Green playing at the 3 spot--but I think it'll be a pretty big shock if he really decides to utilize a zone look regularly. For one thing, this should be a dominant defensive rebounding team; that advantage would be neutralized to some degree by playing zone.
Finally, Draymond Green:
We'll consider anything less than a national championship a failure
I don't completely agree with that statement (I've been saying that not winning the national title would be a disappointment, but not necessarily a failure). But I love the sentiment.
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Before I saw this picture, I had somehow formed the notion that Russell Byrd was black. I guess I don’t pay more attention to the pictures in recruiting posts.
by witless chum on Oct 13, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Seems like
we’ve been teased with the zone a lot over the last few seasons, but it never materializes. And I’m fine with that.
Es gibt keine Freude wie Schadenfreude
If Green is at the 3
Zone will be necessary. Plus it will probably help Kalin since hes hurt, Korie since hes short and Summers since hes not a great defender. I dont really mind it if it works. I love man on man but I trust Izzo to know what the best strategy is during the game. He is after all the best X O coach in basketball.
Ooonst ooonst muthafucka!
Right
Izzo says the team may need to play some zone defense because of lineups. Quote: “That’s foreign territory for me.”
I kind of smirked at that line because one thing that isn’t foreign territory is Izzo talking about playing more zone. I feel like it happens every year.
That was my first thought too
although I couldn’t find any internet evidence of Izzo talking about playing zone over the last few years.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Oct 13, 2010 6:30 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
If we all remember it
we can’t be wrong can we?
Unless the technology in Inception exists.
Es gibt keine Freude wie Schadenfreude
Agreed
Izzo made comments last year that he was going to try working with it.
Tonight's going to be a good night.
by Spartalytical on Oct 13, 2010 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Should have read through all these
The comments I’m recalling were made directly to the audiance at halftime of the Green & White game. I guess that’s pretty unofficial and off-the-cuff, but still.
Tonight's going to be a good night.
by Spartalytical on Oct 13, 2010 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Byrd wore 24 in high school right?
That may be the most unavailable number in college basketball seeing as Respert and Jumpin’ Johnny have that number hanging in the rafters.
by That Guy Green on Oct 13, 2010 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Weird angle on that pic
Gauna and Payne look like they are literally 3 times bigger than Appling and Byrd. It’s pretty funny.
by Ducking Delvon on Oct 12, 2010 10:03 PM CDT reply actions
question
out of curiosity, what weight did nix play at last year? Did he lose about the same as draymond?
by The Baron Von Tito on Oct 13, 2010 1:24 AM CDT reply actions
I think he was down to like 285 at one point...
but then actually put on additional weight during the season. He was upwards of 340 in highschool.
From what I read (can't remember where)
He was down around 285 or so, like MTK said, but got back up around 300 at some point during the year.
Tonight's going to be a good night.
by Spartalytical on Oct 13, 2010 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Sherman's redshirt...
would be a result of weight and strength. Izzo said that he’s lost a lot of baby fat – but hasn’t put on any muscle since last season. Mildly surprised to hear he’d consider both Sherman and Gauna though. Figured it would be one of them – but everything I’d heard was that Gauna already had a big-ten ready body.
Also – I didn’t think Thornton’s injury was a mystery. I thought it was common knowledge from nearly the get-go that he had a Turner-like injury of broken vertebrae.
Thornton
I knew it was a back injury. Wasn’t sure exactly what, although I may have just missed it.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Oct 13, 2010 6:31 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
In fairness
There were a lot of articles talking about the MSU medical ward that didn’t mention him. It was odd; I heard he had an injury through various web/messageboard sources but had a hard time finding reference in actual online and print news.
Also
I wonder if the thinking is that, if Gauna looks Big Ten ready in terms of strength and shooting touch, Sherman will redshirt instead.
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Oct 13, 2010 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions
I think that's right on, KJ
I know Payne has the hype and deservedly so but I think Gauna is going to be a very pleasant surprise for people not thinking of him in the forefront of the team’s future (and present).
Just a shame about Byrd
I was really hoping to see his shooting and size be a factor on the wing this season especially after losing Allen.
I really hope Delvon
can have a complete season with no pain from his knee. If he does, I think he gets close to putting up a double double with a couple blocks per game.
Delvon Roe
I’m giving Delvon a pass because of injury but he is close to joining the “Look out for Kelvin Torbert this year, he’s gonna blow up” Club. I think Roe has the highest NBA potential of anyone on the roster. Cannot wait to see him at full go. He was a warrior last year and the only freshman starter at the Final Four two years ago.
by That Guy Green on Oct 13, 2010 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I admit...
…I’m not a big NBA follower, but Roe has not yet shown he’s got any kind of jumper whatsoever. I’m sure have functioning knees will help with that, but we haven’t seen it yet. I’d doubt a guy his size plays in the NBA without being able to hit away from the basket, or am I crazy?
He sure showed last year that he’s got more than enough drive and grit to do it, I must say.
by witless chum on Oct 13, 2010 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
I've had the same thought
Just like everyone else, I’m waiting for that explosiveness in the post. That said, I agree that healthy knees won’t automatically translate into offsensive production outside of putbacks and the like. Roe’s inside shots have looked more like shotputs in the general direction of the rim.
Tonight's going to be a good night.
by Spartalytical on Oct 13, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Huge Show interview
I caught this on the way home last night on the radio. Bill talked to Green, Roe, and Lucious (probably more – I only caught those three). I can’t say enough how well-spoken and intelligent Green and Roe both come across. Not only are they basketball smart, but they’re just well-adjusted, level-headed guys who actually think about and answer their questions where so many others just give cliche responses you’ve heard a thousand times before. It’s great listening to them.
They talked about working on their chemistry and whatnot this summer, and going to Thornton’s son’s birthday party as an entire team, as an example. It was fun to hear that and them joking around with one another.
Are those interviews available for download somewhere, apart from what’s linked above?
Tonight's going to be a good night.
Very true...
I too was told about Thornton’s son’s birthday party and how it was a great team chemistry building thing. I guess the guys really got into it and had a good time. That’s nice to see. I think this team in particular is going to have outstanding chemistry this year.
I was also told that one player, whose name I care not mention, was the ONLY player (or team manager) in the program who decided not to show up to Austin’s kid’s party and how that no-show only added more fuel to the “transfer” fire.
by LickSplickidy on Oct 13, 2010 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions
It's possible the writing was already on the wall
Tonight's going to be a good night.
by Spartalytical on Oct 13, 2010 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
There was definitely writing on the wall..
I was told first hand by a former State basketball player who’s still close to the program that that incident was definitely a nail in the coffin. The player in question might have already made up his mind but at that point, Izzo hadn’t yet. The players on the team were shocked that he didn’t show up.
by LickSplickidy on Oct 13, 2010 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions
If Nix is 270 - look out
I assume Payne is ready to play, otherwise, why consider Sherman for a redshirt? I agree with keeping Byrd for the latter part of the Big Ten and The Dance. Finally, what a joy it will be to see Delvon play at full strength (insert %).
Not sure how this will come through
But he looked pretty good when I saw this pic.
Tonight's going to be a good night.
by Spartalytical on Oct 13, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Crap - go here instead
http://multimedia.detnews.com/pix/photogalleries/sportsgallery/msu_mediaday10122010/index3.html
Tonight's going to be a good night.
by Spartalytical on Oct 13, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks Sparty!
WOW, Nix lost a ton and Dray looks like a kid. Always wondered what it would be like to have Byrd on our team.
look at the photoes above, Green
Wow, in clicking on the photo of the freshmen (agree about the ventriloquist puppet look,
made me laugh), look at Green. There is a photo of Green and Roe. Honestly, if you could
not see his face, you would never guess it was him. He did not look pudgy last year, very
strong but fire-plug, sturdy-oakish. Looks great now, not just the weight, i’d bet his muscle mass significantly increased, though, again, he did not look like he had tons of fat last year.
It reminds me of the picture of (2) 140- pound women, one is a ballerina and the other looks
like a normal (maybe 5 # overweight) woman. They are the same height but you would
never guess they are the same weight.
I am a life-time weight watcher so can appreciate the efforts of Green and Nix. Cringed the most a few years ago at one of the football players losing 25 # over the summer by only eating ramen noodles. Food and water are (and need to be) fuel for your body.
Green looks like he upped his strength even more than the
weight loss. May really pay off in his conditioning and ability to stay on the court, especially as we will need him (or someone) for key minutes at the 3. He looks more Alan Andersonish than i could have ever guessed he could obtain physique-wise. He will be interesting to watch.
Also agree that Green and Roe stand out when interviewed. You get the feeling they will contribute a lot to the world in general, not just in basketball.
by wifeofaspartan on Oct 13, 2010 11:47 AM CDT reply actions
I'd be a little surprised to see Sherman redshirt
He’s not exactly the second coming of Anagonye in the muscles department but he didn’t look physically outmatched last year when compared to the average Big Ten front court player. He did miss some time this off season with a foot thing so maybe he didn’t really develop as much as they had hoped. We are fairly deep up front this year, but given Roe’s (in particular) health history having an extra big body in case the worst happens would seem prudent.
by TheCrestedHelm on Oct 13, 2010 12:53 PM CDT reply actions
Yes..
But it becomes a numbers game and with Green, Roe, Nix and Payne there just aren’t going to be a lot of minutes left at the 4 and 5 spots. So it comes down to Sherman or Gauna and Alex, even being a year younger, is clearly the stronger and more athletic player (not to mention the better jump shooter) of the two. I’m not saying that strength and hops are the end all be all but they are two qualities that can set players apart at the college level.
by LickSplickidy on Oct 13, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Full Draymond Quote
"Anything less for me is a disappointment," junior forward Draymond Green said at 2010 Media Day on Tuesday. "That’s the standard. Some people may look at it as not fair, but that’s the reason we chose Michigan State; that’s why we came here, we’re competitors. So anything less than not winning a national championship is basically failure."
Fight for The Only Colors: Green and White!
by KJ@theonlycolors on Oct 13, 2010 1:20 PM CDT reply actions
Listening to him say this on the radio yesterday
I kept cringing a little, wanting to say Easy, big fella. But he really didn’t come across arrogant or anything like that, or even starry-eyed. He came across as if he legitimately believes this team has the potential to get it done, and that he believes it strongly yet rationally enough that falling short of that potential would be a failure. So yes, the sentiment is great. And coming from a level-headed guy like Day Day, it makes it all the more powerful.
Tonight's going to be a good night.
by Spartalytical on Oct 13, 2010 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
noticed the new court design in pics
Much improved over the “half basketball top of key” style. There is, of course, that font though …
luttez pour les seuls couleurs, vert et blanc
Yeah.
The basketball keys screamed “1997” so badly that I’ll take the tradeoff.
PP-TPW.
The Only Colors
+1
Tonight's going to be a good night.
by Spartalytical on Oct 13, 2010 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed Nix and Day Day
Are almost unrecognizable by there bodies. Green looks like he has lost a ton of weight but he only lost a few pounds, he just lost a ton of fat and gained a ton of muscle. Nix didn’t quite hit his goal weight of 265 yet but camp will probably take care of the last 5 pounds or more. He looks lean and ready for extended minutes. I think the conditioning for Summers, Green, Nix, Roe, and a few other guys is going to be a plus for this team and a huge advantage at times. GO GREEN!
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