Quick Look into the Future

With both the men's and women's teams advancing nicely in their respective tournaments, let's look into the future a little bit at next year's incoming recruits.

Tom Izzo has recruited two big men for next year, Derrick Nix of Detroit Pershing and Garrick Sherman from Kenton, Ohio.  Both players received top state honors yesterday as Nix was named Mr. Basketball in the state of Michigan, while Sherman received Ohio's Division II co-player of the year award.  With three bigs graduating from this year's team, Nix, who averaged 15 points and 15 boards, and Sherman, who averaged 23.4 point a game, bring MSU exactly what they will need next year.  Both are classic, back to the basket centers with great rebounding skills and we should get some production from them immediately.  I'm not saying they will make all-Big 10 or anything, but they will complement our returning players and provide a presence in the middle next season.

Suzy Merchant also addressed her team's needs by recruiting talented point guard Jasmine Thomas from Flint, and a 6-5 big girl, Kelsey Smith, from outside of Chicago.  Again, both of these players fill needs in the women's program and should contribute next year.

Let's have a big turnout for the women's game tonight against Duke and cheer both men's and women's teams on to victory  as they advance through their tournaments.  Although none of the players on the men's team were around when MSU last played Kansas in the tournament in 1986, a lot of us old-timers are still looking for "payback" for the shot clock debacle that many felt cost us a victory.  By the way, Danny Manning, who played in that game for Kansas, is now an assistant coach for the Jayhawks.  Here's hoping we ruin his evening come Friday night.  GO GREEN!