Things we have learned about Spartan Basketball so far:

Things we have learned about Spartan Basketball so far:  I am not as concerned as some with the play of the bigs. We all recognize that we don’t have an

Things we have learned about Spartan Basketball so far:

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1. I am not as concerned as some with the play of the bigs. We all recognize that we don’t have an Oden in the paint, but rarely does anyone? This team almost beat UNC last year (and I agree with Izzo that if ID hadn’t had an injury we would have) and kept us competitive by playing tough D and enforcing the paint. Would I like to see more points? No doubt, but I am not willing to write them off. We have plenty of points on the court for this team to have success without one of them being a dominant scorer as long as they can play successful D. Don’t get me wrong, I want to see improvement, but I am not worried.
2. Kalin Lucas is lightning quick. He will mature with minutes, but his raw physical ability makes watching a lot of fun.
3. The athleticism of this team is phenomenal. They certainly have to gel, but they are tripping over themselves sometimes just because there is so much athleticism and speed.
4. Travis Walton is the epitome of what it means to be a Spartan. He personally approached Izzo about being moved to the bench and has an attitude that is truly team first. Travis is a great kid and a super Spartan. If any kid wants to know what being a Spartan is about, and wants a lesson on being a team player simply look at Walton.
5. Raymar Morgan has to develop consistency, but he reminds me of Jason Richardson in that you can’t watch him and not see a star. I am not saying they have the exact same skill set. I am simply saying that you see star written all over both. Now Raymar has to show he can sustain consistent play not over two games, but over an extended period of time. If he plays at this level all season I have no doubts (and Izzo alluded to it today in his signing day presser: click on the Hondo’s House ICON on the right to watch it) he will go to the NBA early. It is up to him to develop that however. It is a question of his want to.
6. I love Marquise, but he has to make himself relevant. He can play great and then disappear. If he could harness his ability into a 25-30 minute performer there is not doubt he is an NBA talent. He is one of the kids you root for because he is such a nice kid. I want to see him do well as much for him, as MSU!
7. Drew Naymick struggles offensively as we all know, but he is a very good defender and tough. He stopped Oden last year. In fact, Oden told me last year that Naymick was the best defender he had faced. Would I like to see him look to the bucket and raise his PPG? Well of course, but he can play defense and in the paint MSU needs that more than anything.
8. Durrell Summers is the most balanced of the three freshmen. He is not the ball handler that Lucas is or the shooter that Allen is, but he is the best all phases gamer of the group.
9. Chris Allen is such a pure shooter. He reminds me of Respert in a lot of ways. Certainly he has to mature, but he still reminds me of him with shooting skills. His shot is liquid smooth.
10. This team may sustain some early losses that I didn’t foresee simply because they are learning each other and how they fit. Who cares! Like Izzo says, “This program is about banners, not wins or losses.” Once the Big Ten season gets rolling and tournament time, this will be fun. Until then simply recognize growing pains as just that.
11. Watching Mark Montgomery take over the Jimmy Boylen role is fun to see. Mark is a great Spartan and will get his shot to be a head coach. He is completely comfortable in the first chair and his next move will be over one seat somewhere else, and he has earned that.
12. Coach Garland is back home where he belongs. Seeing him next to Izzo is a comforting thought. He is in my opinion the most underrated assistant that Izzo has EVER had and his love of MSU and the Spartan Nation is special. Welcome home coach.
13. DJ is a good coach, but the Spartan Nation just doesn’t realize how important he is as a conduit to this team. He is a stabilizing factor for the kids, and a super recruiter.
14. If you are an Izzo critic I can’t help you, but watch him deal with the three freshmen and you will see how he gets the different personalities and how he deals with them.
15. The Izzone remains the best student section in the nation. Until the alumni and “working” fans can fill the seats get off their A**! They are over legislated, but that isn’t their fault. Those that want the Izzone to be more “hardcore” as they have been in the past need to blame Izzo and the people over them. It is the same with what happened at Munn field and tailgating. They have legislated to the point that it isn’t what is was and they need only to look in the mirror to blame someone. Those kids are diehards and I love their enthusiasm and effort. Rock on Izzone!
16. I love Coach Gus Ganakas. What I am about to say is in no way advocating for him to be taken off of the radio broadcast. I will say however that I taped the last two games and I love hearing my buddy Tim Bograkos on the radio broadcast. I think that it would be in the best interest of MSU to find a way to make it a three- man team and somehow make that work. It would make for a smooth transition to the future and put someone like Tim who knows Izzo inside and out in a place to communicate with the fans.  Tim will get more comfortable, but he brings great insight into what Izzo is thinking and simply adds value to the broadcasts.
17. 2-0 is a nice start, but I am ready to see a lot more.Â
18. Don't forget to check out Tom Izzo's signing day press conference. Just click on the Hondo's House ICON on the right and enjoy it. As always it is all free!