At MSU, Family Is The Key Ingredient

Routinely commentators gush about Michigan State during the basketball season. MSU is looked upon by the national media as a basketball and NCAA tournament

Routinely commentators gush about Michigan State during the basketball season. MSU is looked upon by the national media as a basketball and NCAA tournament power. The formula that Tom Izzo used to place MSU into the ‘elite’ basketball camp appears to be alive and well over at ‘The Duff.’

Ever since Nick Saban skated out of town, MSU has had nothing but instability in the football program. Mark Dantonio (a former member of Saban’s staff) has done a remarkable job of resurrecting the fragile green giant in his second year. Michigan State has yet to play a game in the 2008 season, but the excitement is reminiscent of the glory years of green and rightfully so. The formula for MSU success can be summed up with one word… that word is family.

The family approach was the cornerstone of Tom Izzo’s basketball success. Izzo knew that homegrown talent would be enough to bring his program to elite status and he knew that the Spartan family would embrace his approach. While Tom built his program around the greater Flint Michigan family, first snagging Antonio Smith, then Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves and finally Charlie Bell, Dantonio has been doing the same in metro Detroit.

There are few people that don’t know the recruitment story of the fabulous Flint foursome to the MSU hardwood. We who follow MSU sports love to relive the memories and what it meant to us all. Interestingly enough, similar things are happening down I-96 that once happened right down I-69. Coincidence? I think not!!

The MSU family is the key ingredient and Mark Dantonio’s staff has sold it beautifully. I must admit that I was skeptical heading into the recruiting season after losing Nichol and Johnson to out-of-state universities and then Perry and Ingram the following year. When Nichol returned to reclaim the green jersey he was born to wear, family was one of the first things he spoke candidly about. It seems to be one of the first things we hear when a 2009 recruit is being interviewed.

Chris Norman was the first to commit to MSU for the 2009 class. On a recent visit to Detroit, Hondo spoke to Norman about Michigan State’s recruiting class. When Hondo asked Chris specifically whom he has contacted, Norman responded, “I am contacting everybody.” Chris Norman’s pledge to MSU is not to be taken lightly. He may very well go down in history as Mark Dantonio’s Antonio Smith. Several coaches believe that he may very well be the best recruit in the state for the class of 2009. Further cementing this notion is that M-Rod’s staff continues to contact him in hopes of swaying him into enemy territory. Norman is having none of it.

Edwin Baker and Larry Caper appear to have bought into the family atmosphere. They both play the same position and know that they will likely share the Spartan workload. Will this translate into sharing the same championship trophy? Other recruits must think so.

Andrew Maxwell continues to surprise and impress as he lights up the Elite 11 scorecard. We have heard about the great attitude, excellent footwork and good arm strength. Andrew knows that the competition with other Spartan QB’s will be a battle, but elite programs land an exceptional QB every year. Going into the 2009 season, MSU will have two E-11 QB’s on the roster at the same time. This puts Nichol and Maxwell in the same company as Smoker and Stanton.

Detroit native Dana Dixon decided the Spartan family picnic was too good to pass up. He called in his RSVP to coach Dantonio a couple of weeks ago to let him know that he would be joining his friend Chris at the Spartan feast.

Blake Treadwell was family long before a scholarship offer was extended. What better way to pledge your loyalty to the Spartan family than place your lunch pale right next to dad’s when you come to work.

Donald Spencer grew up so close to UM it is hard to believe that MSU was his early choice. Like so many other Michiganders, MSU is being recognized as the family everyone wants to join.

So as we wheel the coolers toward the Red Cedar this fall, hug old friends, kiss the new babies and share a bite and a brew, remember that our Spartan family is what makes us who we are. It is our Spartan family that makes us special. It is our Spartan family that so many recognize as the link to our past and bridge to our future. So who will be next to join the Spartan family? I think we have room Dion Sims.