Usually these go up during the morning, but I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to see the excellent work intrpdtrvr and T-Con did on the 2013 Basketball Recruiting Hot List. If you haven't read it yet, run and don't walk to get there. This post will still be there when you get back.
The next match in the FSAB is against an athlete you may not know, and the other is one of the most beloved walk-ons of all time. One note -- if you have any ideas for how I can improve these articles, please let me know. I know the formula can get repetitive, and any input is greatly appreciated. Here we go:
Floor Rijpma
One of the great things about doing this bracket is learning about a few athletes that haven't received much attention. So when I was looking for athletes to fill the 64 spots, former State News sports editor Joey Nowak threw Ms. Rjipma's name out, and he picked one of the great Spartan field hockey players. Rjipma started in all but one game in her career. She had terrific junior and senior years, leading the Big Ten in goals and points. She also was a first-team All-American in her last two years at MSU. She ranks third all-time in goals and points, and is one of the best representatives for the non-revenue sports in the last decade. While many of us (myself included) didn't see her play, her accomplishments are more than worthy of inclusion in this bracket. She is currently an assistant coach at Central Michigan.
Tim Bograkos
It's strange that Bograkos's most memorable Spartan moment:
was not indicative of how he was viewed throughout his career. Bograkos earned a rep as a defensive stopper par excellence and most likely belongs on a scrappiest Spartans of all-time list. Even in his senior season he averaged only nine minutes a game (more than Drew Neitzel, but less than Delco Rowley). He embodied Izzo's philosophy like few others to don Green and White in the past two decades, and I think that's what most of us will remember about him.
To learn more about Tim Bograkos visit your local library, or check out his blog The Sixth Option.