FanPost

Izzo's Take on His Team

It's almost here. Less than 3 weeks until basketball practice begins!

Apparently Rexrode sat down with the coach last week and the result is a good read as usual. That link is to part 2 of a longer Q & A. They talked recruiting in the first part but to me that's kind of senseless without any commitments and signed LOI's.

As for this team, Keith Appling is still the point guard, Russell Byrd is finally healthy[fingers crossed for this being true], Denzel Valentine is versatile, Gary Harris is the second freshman in 3 years to Be Like Bell(right down to the number) and Kaminski's redshirt is official. That's a lot and that's not even half of the team.

Really good stuff to get excited about as the time draws nearer.

The most interesting line in the piece to me is this: "they've got to guard him, too". That was said in response to a question about Payne playing the 4 alongside Nix and having to do some different things defensively. Mismatches go both ways but I've never known Coach Izzo to use that philosophy. Usually if the defensive matchup was unfavorable, the other end didn't matter. Maybe he is changing a little bit.

#Can'tWait

This is a FanPost, written by a member of the TOC community. It does not represent the official positions of The Only Colors, Inc.--largely because we have no official positions.