Linking Laconically welcomes Kenny Kaminski

The big news over the weekend, of course, was that Kenny Kaminski, a 2012 forward out of Medina, Ohio, verbally committed to MSU.  Building on intrpdtrvlr's earlier work, newcomer HeckDorland brought it hard to the hoop in his first FanPost, running down the scouting report on Kaminski.  That FanPost is effectively your "Welcome, [New Commit]" post.

Just so you don't think I'm not earning my money here, though, here's a quote from Kaminski on the decision to commit to MSU:

"It mainly came down to where I felt most comfortable at as a player," Kaminski said. "I have always felt really good with Michigan State and they have a great program right now."

Kaminski said he made the commitment now because he "doesn't like lying to the other coaches and not telling them 100 percent the truth," when he knew the Spartans are the team he wanted to play for.

I've updated the projected roster page to reflect the commitment.  Tom Izzo now has four scholarship slots left to use between 2011 and 2012.  In a perfect world, it seems like Izzo would be shooting for Jakaar Sampson or Branden Dawson in 2011 and Denzel Valentine (who reportedly picked up an MSU offer today), Gary Harris, and Matt Costello in 2012.  (On the topic of Valentine, check out these AAU highlights courtesy of UMHoops.  "Draymond on the wing" definitely seems like an apt description of Valentine's game.)  The roster going into the 2012-2013 season would be a little wing-heavy in that scenario, but there'd also be only one true point guard (Keith Appling), so one or two of the wings would need to play the point, as well.

Josh (I'm tired of typing "intrpdtrvlr") will have more on the recruiting outlook soon, I'm sure,   Now, back to your regularly-scheduled links:

• Andy Katz's Daily Word: Michigan State coach Tom Izzo reflects on decision, looks forward to season - ESPN
  Hard news: Gonzaga's trip to East Lansing MSU's trip to Spokane has been moved back a year.  Apparently, there's a home game vs. South Carolina; I don't remember that being reported previously.  Good interview overall; definitely click through.
• State of Michigan Rankings: Class of 2011 | UM Hoops.com
  Nice rundown.  Amir Williams at #1.  Didn't include him in my ideal plan above. How would he fit into the picture?  Head spinning.
• Rush The Court » Blog Archive » 20 At The Top: Big 10 Player Rankings
  Lucas, Green, and Summers all make the list. (HT: Con-T.)
  
• Can John Shurna be Kevin Coble? - Sippin' On Purple
  Short answer: Yes, already is. Maybe better.
• College Basketball Chronotope: Coble quits, a BFD... no, seriously
  Counterpoint.
• Tisdale oozing confidence | herald-review.com | Blogs: Mark Tupper - Fighting Illini, Golf, Local Sports
  Knocking down 3-pointers vs. NBA guys.
• Hello My Name Is: Nebraska Basketball - Black Shoe Diaries
  Name tag definitely required given complete lack of exposure for program on national level. Like, ever.
• Expansion discussion awaits Big Ten athletic directors in Chicago - AnnArbor.com
  In what ways would the world be different if George Perles had gotten the head coaching job at MSU earlier (1980) and brought in Lloyd Carr as an assistant?  Would the earth's poles now be reversed?