By now, we've all heard and been annoyed by Michigan State athletic director sending a harmless but ill-conceived tweet offering some non-asked for advice to Trey Burke. Predictably, it didn't go over so well in Ann Arbor, and rightfully so -- I think any fanbase would be annoyed by a similar move. Joe Rexrode, hilariously annoyed by having to report on the whole thing, notes that Hollis didn't violate any rules by doing it, which is good I guess:
"There was no intent to initiate any kind of discussion to get him to transfer," Lewandowski said of the tweet. "This would be like bumping into (Burke) in the hallway and saying 'Nice game.'" Unless ... might Hollis be plotting a sinister player theft at the behest of Tom Izzo, so MSU can overtake college basketball in 2013-14 with a four-point-guard lineup of Burke, Appling, Trice and Valentine? Let's keep this story going!
And don't worry, Pat Caputo has already hammered out some sentence fragments suggesting this is another example of MSU's basketball program being worried about the ascension of the team that lost to a mid-major in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this year and could see its starting backcourt declare for the draft. No Pat. It's not that. It's just an example of why old people shouldn't be on Twitter.
Sorry for the infrequent links posts this week, won't happen again. Please accept this abundance of links after the jump as my apology.
MSU football: Spring an opportunity for Jones | Lansing State Journal | lansingstatejournal.com
Taiwan Jones is getting an extended look for the football team: "The fact that linebacker Taiwan Jones was the only Spartan newcomer to see action in 2011 tells a lot about what the coaches think of his future. And with spring practice beginning, the sophomore from New Baltimore looks to be in line for a much heavier workload in 2012. With returning starter Chris Norman out for the majority of the spring due to injury, Jones’ name is suddenly at the top of the depth chart at the Star position — an outside linebacker in MSU’s defensive scheme."
Handling the Bawl: March Madness Turns Into the Crying Game - WSJ.com
Mateen Cleaves talks to the Wall Street Journal about crying: "In the past, merely hearing the song has reduced hard-nosed players into blubbering messes. Former Michigan State University guard Mateen Cleaves had rivers of joy streaming down his face in 2000 as "One Shining Moment" boomed around the arena after his team won the title. "I'm a big old crybaby," Mr. Cleaves said last week."
Denzel Drone's move to tight end among MSU position changes | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
Denzel Drone will now play offense: "Junior Denzel Drone's shift from defensive end to tight end might be the most significant move this spring. "He can move back into the defense and not miss a beat really, whether it's two weeks or three weeks from now," Dantonio said. "He was a good player in high school, he was a tight end in high school, he's 260 pounds. We have a need at that position.""
Ex-cornerback Tony Lippett now exclusively a receiver for Spartans | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
So will Tony Lippett: ""Tony will go exclusively to offense," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "He's a guy we moved over there on the defensive side of the ball, really along with (Jeremy) Langford last year, because we felt like we had depth in those positions, and those are too good of athletes just to stand there and watch. "Both those guys will be able to come over on defense in an emergency situation, but both those guys will work exclusively on the offensive side of the ball.""
Tom Izzo is no fan of 'one-and-done' days | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
Tom Izzo says he doesn't like one and dones without really saying he doesn't like one and dones: "But I did ask Izzo about the rule he and his peers undoubtedly will be discussing in New Orleans — the NBA's controversial "one-and-done" rule, and its impact on college basketball — due in part to the success of Calipari. "I think John obviously has capitalized on it," Izzo said, before adding, "I'd take a one-and-done (player.)." What about two or three? "I don't know," Izzo said, not wanting to sound like a hypocrite, or worse. "What I wouldn't like to take is a guy that says to me, 'I'm one-and-done.'""
MSU's Kirk Cousins could be first-round pick, analyst says | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
More buzz that Kirk Cousins is rocketing up draft boards: "Worthy has slipped some while Cousins has continued to rise up most teams' draft boards after impressing scouts at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. "Grading off last year's tape I thought he was more of a mid-round type talent and I think he continued to get better and better," Nawrocki said of Cousins, a three-time captain at Michigan State. "As you would expect with a player with as strong of intangibles as he has, you would tend to climb up the draft boards as you get closer to the process, just because you feel so comfortable with what you're getting. He's a gym rat, he's extremely intelligent, very well spoken and he can represent a franchise well.""
Michigan, Michigan State's fortunes riding on point guards | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
Wojo compares the PG situations in Ann Arbor and East Lansing: "For all the talent Izzo and Beilein are collecting, the point guard issues must be resolved. Appling didn't look comfortable making the transition, then slumped so badly, Saint Louis declined to defend him on the perimeter. He burned the Billikens but shot 42.7 percent (25 percent on 3-pointers) this season. Sophomore-to-be Travis Trice could take over at point guard, pushed by Valentine. Appling is not a classic college lead guard like Izzo's all-time favorite, Mateen Cleaves. Burke might be, with a tremendous shooting touch too. For Michigan State and Michigan to be as good as they should be, Appling needs to find where he fits, and Burke needs to stay where he can shine."
Le'Veon Bell, Spartans will earn playing time, Mark Dantonio says | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
Ain't nothing free, Le'Veon Bell: "And while he didn't come out and say it, it appears the first person being reminded of that is junior running back Le'Veon Bell. Bell is, for the first time, the clear-cut No. 1 back. But when Dantonio was asked about Bell, who ran for 948 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, he was very short with his answer. "I think it's important that we're not complacent," he said. "That's my answer. He'll be challenged, as well.""
Tom Izzo compares recruit Denzel Valentine to Magic Johnson, Draymond Green | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Glad to see Izzo not ratcheting up the expectations for an incoming freshman: "Izzo called Valentine a "utility guy" and said the Mr. Basketball runner-up could play point guard, shooting guard or either forward position. He compared him to former Spartan Alan Anderson in body type and versatility and compared him to Draymond Green in basketball IQ."
Michigan State's Tyler Hoover moving on from injury, moving to new position | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
Tyler Hoover took advantage of his time off due to injury last year: "One positive he took away from the ordeal was really studying his playbook. "I'm up-to-date on the defense," Hoover said. "Now I just gotta put it on my feet.""
Raptors Sign Alan Anderson To 10 Day Contract - RealGM Wiretap
Alan Anderson is getting another NBA shot: "The Toronto Raptors signed Alan Anderson of the Canton Charge from the NBA Development League. Anderson (6-6, 220, Michigan State) has appeared in eight games with the Charge this season, averaging 21.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 33.1 minutes."