How to Use Garrick Sherman's Scholarship
by Pete Rossman on Mar 28, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
in Michigan State Spartans Basketball
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PrintIf one could describe something as surprising but not unexpected, it would be Garrick Sherman's transfer out of Michigan State today. On one hand Sherman's touch around the basket and post moves could have been an asset on next year's squad. On the other hand were his hands -- he often dropped passes under the basket or let rebounds slip through his hands, and had trouble gaining the weight needed to play in the Big Ten. Despite his shortcomings he will be missed next year, and we at The Only Colors wish him the best of luck at his next destination.
With Sherman departing two scholarships are open in 2011-2012, and one scholarship is open for 2012-2013. This assumes no more players transfer and that there are no decommits from the 2012 recruiting class (before you panic, none of the 2012 class has given the slightest hint of decommitting). Three options exist for Sherman's scholarship spot, but keep in mind that an NCAA rule allows seniors who have graduated to play a 5th year at a different school if that school offers a graduate program not offered by their previous program. I haven't heard any rumblings of such a transfer, but keep in mind this transfer could take Korie Lucious's scholarship spot and leave another spot open.
- Pick up a junior college transfer for 2011-12 and 2012-13. This player would most likely be a point guard, as there'd be no need for another big with the glut up front for next season; Izzo's not going to take a junior college player that can't make an immediate impact. The only real need for a JC transfer would be a ball handler, as Travis Trice is the only pure point guard for next year. Since Michigan State hasn't taken a JuCo in
more thanalmost a decade, I'd put the chances of this happening of no more than 5%. - Add another recruit to the 2012 class. For those wondering why Izzo was still recruiting Gary Harris, you have your answer. While adding another wing could create a bit of a logjam at that spot, Harris's athleticism and performances on the AAU circuit are worth taking the risk of someone transferring one to two years down the road. The one downside to this -- adding a player in 2012 will mean only one scholarship is open for the 2013 class. If Izzo can't get a recruit of Harris's caliber, he may choose the third option...
- Stand pat. I think it's a near-certainty that one of the two spots presently open in the 2013 class will be for a point guard, be it Monte Morris, Derrick Walton, Cha Cha Tucker, or someone currently not on the radar. If Izzo decides that there's no one in the 2012 class worth spending a 2013 spot on he could just leave everything as is.
It's possible that the coaching staff adds a player to the 2011 class, but that's possible only in the most theoretical sense as I haven't seen a player left that would be worth occupying a scholarship for four years. I'm curious to y'all's opinion on this -- what do you think should happen?
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Opt. 3
I really don’t like the idea of a one-recruit class if I’m reading this correctly. It seems like a good way to be one transfer/expulsion/massive injury away from having a very young team even further down the road, and in this league I don’t like that option. I’d go with Opt. 3, I’d like Izzo to bring in two recruits for 2013 if for no other reason than to just have a balanced class. Also, with Dawson coming in, I’d love to have another high profile wing in Harris, but do we need it?
Also, for accuracy’s sake on Opt. 1, wouldn’t Rashi Johnson qualify as a JuCo? I think he was on the team in ’04 or something after killing it at Mott CC for a year.
You're right about Johnson
I’ve changed the post to reflect him arriving in 2002.
by Pete Rossman on Mar 28, 2011 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Option 4
I think we end up with a 2012 and still have two ships available for ‘13. How? Attrition. Look how many kids have been dismissed or transferred just this past year. I would bet heavily that someon in the ’10, ’11 or ’12 classes is gone by ’13 and that’s how we get a ’12 recruit (wing) and two in ’13 (PG, BIG).
That's also a good possibility
But if I factored in possible transfers this post could have filled a magazine.
by Pete Rossman on Mar 28, 2011 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
MSP 2011 Edition: Transfers from Michigan State
by SpartanBoiler on Mar 28, 2011 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions
From a Basic Recruiting Standpoint
I don’t want us to be known as a program that half the players end up leaving because they can’t cut it. It hurts us in the eyes of families who want to ensure their children are being taken care of by the university and the team. Plus do you really want to count on people leaving for your scholarships? Wouldn’t you rather be a team recruited with scholarships in their original allotments rather than be an afterthought recruit brought in because someone’s exit left an opening?
+1
And the mass attrition thing over the last year is really pretty much an anomaly in the Izzo era. I can count on one hand the number of non-football guys on the hoops team who have ended their tenures early and transferred or quit playing. Before Herzog I think you had to go back to MoJo and before that maybe to Delco Rowley. It’s really been few-and-far between. I wouldn’t count on losing 4 guys (Herzog, Sherman, Allen, Lucious) in the space of a year again any time soon.
But I do think, unfortunately
that you can count on one more transfer if we get Harris. I just would prefer that isn’t the case, and that we go for Jabari Parker more.. “honestly”? Thats not the right word but still.
Brandon Cotton
Left after 2 games in ’03, I believe. Each circumstance is unique. Rowley (graduation) and MoJo (smaller school closer to home) were, I believe, situations where it was probably best for both parties. Same with Herzog and Sherman.
"You can look at the dinosaur that weighs you down or you can look at the big pot of gold (and) try to say, 'You know what? I'm going to try to live up to expectations.' " -Tom Izzo, Iron Mountain Philosopher
by Ducking Delvon on Mar 29, 2011 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Hurm
I don’t mind having a one recruit class. Don’t forget having a youth heavy class means having a ridiculously experienced team down the road as well. Also Izzo could sit on a scholarship later after said gigantic class graduates and re-balance the scales.
I think the best idea is to go get Gary Harris. This is our shot, and I think a scholarship will free up because as I’ve said multiple times on this blog, I fully expect that, especially if Harris comes, Dwaun Anderson or perhaps Kearney (really whichever guard gets underused) will transfer. Odds are that opens up a 2013 scholarship.
A JuCo basically would be Izzo throwing in the towel with Harris. We won’t get him. But I prefer it to just not utilizing the scholarship. I wouldn’t mind if we got a big time player who can quarterback us well, essentially the Cam Newton of basketball. Otherwise its not worth it and I say we put all our chips in for Harris.
Now say we don’t get Harris. And that scholarship still exists. I don’t think we add another wing if it’s not him. Say we can get a big in 2012 like Jordan Hare, that’d be nice. But then I wouldn’t mind as much if we just waited to use it in 2013.
One thing that must be factored in is that we may basically be making a choice here between Gary Harris and Jabari Parker. Who do we want more? I would prefer Parker to Harris simply because I like the wings we have now, but I won’t go out kicking and screaming if Harris gets on board with this scholarship because like I said I think that’d lead to the transfer of another player.
If we can get Harris
or another elite recruit in 2012 then I think we’d be crazy to pass them up. Even with Harris on board I think it’s likely another scholarship opens up in 2013 through a transfer, dismissal or some one going pro early. If we can’t land an elite recruit in 2012 then we should save the scholarship for 2013.
A good reminder about scholarships opening
It’s not always about if but also about when. It’s true that even with Harris someone could leave before the 2013 season started or even before the signing period thus opening up another spot. However, it constrains Izzo until it’s clear that spot will open. You can’t, say, fill one 2013 spot with Jabari Parker and then expect your No. 1 PG choice to wait until March or April to know whether they’ll be a place at MSU. He might go ahead and choose another school.
It looks like Izzo is more willing to over recruit these days and that may be one of the reasons.
"And how much are intangibles worth? 10%? 20%?" - kj@theonlycolors
I say pick up a JuCo
I know nothing at all about JuCo recruiting, though I’m certain there are guys from the last 3 HS classes who were studs & had to go JC for whatever reason. And surely guys like that would love a chance to come to a school like MSU where they can win big in any season.
The point is to win now. This ‘12 hoops squad is coming in led by two seniors, the best looking floor leader since Mateen, and the toughest big since probably Tone, and I think it presents a great opportunity to achieve that stated point. If there is a JC transfer who can come in & contribute right away and make the team better, this season, I’m all for it.
Hell, go for 2, use Luciuos’s scholly if there are two guys that can help.
by MSUDersh on Mar 28, 2011 7:11 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
My initial thought too
We have a huge question mark at the PG spot for next year right now. We count heavily on Appling and Trice to make the transition and to contribute at a high rate. A more experienced player as insurance would be nice. But in the end, Im just thrilled at the fact that Sherman, a marginal player, will most likely be upgraded – no matter which way. No knock on him but a big has to do a little more than just roll to the basket and make a layup every once in a while…
Another possibility...
Keep the one schollie for 2012 or 2013, but we could accept a preferred walk-on, this could be a Juco level player who thinks they have NBA skills, (Wesley Johnson) with the understanding that there is only a one year scholarship available for the 2011-12 season.
Best of luck to Sherman
But the dude always made me so nervous when he would get a rebound or pass and started bobbling the ball down low. Hopefully on a team where he doesn’t have to split playing time with two equally matched players (at least they were all fairly equal THIS year) he can cure some of those jitters by getting more experience handling the ball. Agreed with the earlier post that it would be awesome if he goes to Iowa State just for consistency sake, but he might be a bit too wholesome for that!
by StickyGreen on Mar 29, 2011 5:47 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Obviously
the ideal scenario here appears to be Gary Harris, however, count me among those interested in a Juco. I know Izzo has never been keen on them, but with Sherman’s transfer opening up exactly two years of a scholarship AND a clear need for not only some depth at PG, but experience as well, it strikes me that a Juco could be the perfect fit.
If there is nobody out there, then fine. But I’d like to see Appling grow into the best 2 guard he can, and if he is forced to handle the point for 20 min a game, then I think that will restrict his growth.
Juco PG
They THOUGHT that Rashi Johnson was a viable option at the time. He was the #2 ranked Juco PG in the nation. As a result, I say no thanks to the juco PG option. I’ll take my chances with Keith and Travis and save that scholarship for either the Harris option or for 2013.
by LickSplickidy on Mar 30, 2011 12:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Do we need Appling as a 2?
Im fairly sure when Appling was recruited it was with the mindset that he had a chance to fill Kalin’s shoes and that includes intention to play the point.
might be jumping the gun a little...
But we have right now for 2011:
PG = Appling/Trice
Wing1=Byrd/Thorton/Anderson
Wing2=Dawson/Kearney
Only Thorton is graduating and we add Denzel Valentine in 2012 and I pray we add Gary Harris to that. Maybe someone else in the 2011 or 2012 class to the wing.
I think the fact that Izzo has not focused on another designated point guard in the 2010, 2011, or 2012 class, besides Trice, speaks to his confidence about KA playing the PG, and Trice or Valentine grooming to take over/backup. With the thought if either Trice or Valentine step up their PG play fast, KA can move over to SG no problem down the line. Just a possibility.
Dont forget
That Kearney will be seeing time at the point as well, in fact prolly more than Valentine I think.
Otherwise ur right on point, Izzo clearly believes Appling is up to the job.
Juco Big
I think if a good defensive big is available, do it. With Roe’s knees and Nix/Payne, we need some insurance.
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