News and Notes from Spartan Basketball 11/05 Edition

News and Notes from Spartan Basketball 11/05 Edition  Tom Izzo recently called his team a M*A*S*H unit. I agree, and you can see the frustration on his

News and Notes from Spartan Basketball 11/05 Edition

 

Tom Izzo Described his team as a M*A*S*H* Unit with all of their injuries

• Tom Izzo recently called his team a M*A*S*H unit. I agree, and you can see the frustration on his face. I made a comment to him that it seems every year his teams go through a stretch of injuries, perhaps it is a blessing that it is happening in the exhibition season.
• “Ridiculous” was how Izzo described his injury situation. I agree.
• Kalin Lucas wasn’t out, but he was 100% either. He jammed some of his fingers, and Izzo said he was playing at about half. Lucas is one of the toughest guys to play and if jammed fingers can slow him down, I can’t imagine how bad the jam was.
• Unlike most teams that make a preseason schedule of cupcakes that is a total embarrassment, we all know how Izzo schedules from the top, the best that will play him. That is a good thing in my opinion, but there is one draw back and I mentioned it to Izzo after practice on Wednesday. Other teams’ cupcakes allow them to develop players farther along. Sure MSU has some cupcakes, but with tough teams right away, guys like Tom Herzog have to step up early. If he doesn’t, when Izzo works out the practice schedules he can’t use precious time early developing guys when he is getting ready for a big game. The next week and a half is huge for Herzog. The Spartans’ attention will turn to Gonzaga soon and if he doesn’t step up, he will get left behind.
• Durrell Summers took a the ball about two feet behind the three point line at practice yesterday and before you could blink made a move and a monster dunk. It was amazing. His strength, speed, and size are clearly visible and, of all the team, I can’t wait to watch him in real action.
• Garrick Sherman has huge upside. He isn’t big bodied and I admit I was worried, but after watching him practice, he will be just fine. He is very good with both hands. He got a rebound and in almost one motion went right back up under the rim with a beautiful reverse lay up. He is very smooth and, unlike a lot of other big guys, he is very fluid and has a great basketball sense.
• With Raymar being able to play the regular season opener in doubt, I am one of the few not worried. Last year Draymond Green stepped up and played very well. There is a lot of talent on this team, and I would rather they not rush him back. Raymar has been snake bitten by injuries in his career so I hope they take it easy. I think Draymond and others will take care of business.
• Of the four injured Spartans (Roe, Raymar, Allen, and Lucious), I expect Allen back for the Grand Valley exhibition on Monday. There is no need to rush Lucious. With him getting back into basketball shape he could use the minutes, but I don’t think he is slam-dunk to play.
• Anthony Ianni. He is one of the newest Spartans and transferred in from Grand Valley this year. He won’t be able to play since he is sitting out the season for transferring. Monday night’s game will be hard for him, not being able to play against his old team. I can tell you this. Ianni is one of the best kids around and while most people yawn over an exhibition, this is his game. NO ONE wants a Spartan blow out more than him.
• Izzo said that Nix was a little behind fellow true freshman Sherman, but with all the injuries, Izzo said he is getting time playing them together. Nix and Sherman have such huge upside, I can’t imagine opposing teams in two or three years having to face them at the same time. 
• Yesterday in practice Nix simply didn’t move down low. He is essentially an immovable force down low and wherever he is, he owns. There will be a lot of teams shaking their heads when they see a man that looks like he should be playing for Mark Dantonio on the defensive line. Izzo loves guys with toughness and he has enough to spare.
• I just got an email from one of you so I figured I would address it here. Mike in Wixom wanted to know if “Delvon being out with a concussion would set him back.” I am sure there may be a SLIGHT conditioning issue, but Delvon is a man on a mission. I really think that if anyone could miss some time, he and Lucas are the ones. Izzo even addressed it, "Delvon, with his athleticism, can afford not to play some.” I agree with Tom.
• On a side note, as you know, I went down and spent some time with new Izzo super recruit Adreian Payne. He comes from a great school and I spent some good time with he and folks from the school. I will have an article on Friday afternoon sharing some of those stories and you don’t want to miss them. Some will make you laugh, some will make you angry, and at the end you will really be thankful that Izzo hauled in, yet again, another great kid.
• Finally, how about Izzo beating John Calipari for two straight recruits? Izzo has constantly judged this program against the likes of the Kentucky. He won’t say it publicly (he has way too much class), but you know for a guy that observes and internalizes EVERYTHING he has to be one of the happiest men in America. Well, at least until he gets to practice and sees his M*A*S*H unit.