MSU hoops media day
It was today, so there will be coverage of the event and a look forward to the 2007-08 season in Thursday's LSJ.
Off the cuff, a few observations:
* Tom Izzo cited what you would expect as the keys to this MSU team winning a Big Ten title and making a deep March run: the continued progress of Marquise Gray and Goran Suton; the ability of the talented freshmen to learn to play defense at this level; and the overall ability of the team to retain last season's hunger and attention to detail, while playing an up-tempo style.
* Drew Neitzel looks huge. I didn't really notice that a couple weeks ago when he was coaching us through a media practice. But his arms are markedly bigger, and Travis Walton looks bigger too. Izzo said Walton "is growing into one of the best leaders we've had here."
* Tom Herzog also has gained weight, but I still think he's a year away from a major role. I could be wrong, but that's my guess as practice gets under way.
* Izzo talked about the ESPN piece this summer arguing that MSU is the top college basketball team of the past decade. He said more than once that it's time to appreciate that decade and put it in a time capsule.
"Let's figure out what we're gonna do for the next 10," Izzo said. "That's really, really, really what's in my sites now."
Later, he was asked if that means he plans on being MSU's coach for the next decade, and he gave a vague answer. Before getting too excited, don't forget that Izzo is going to hand this thing off to a protege and say "we" about MSU long after he retires. So I wouldn't read too much into that comment.
* Back to physical impressions, Goran Suton and Isaiah Dahlman also appeared to be in improved condition. Don't sleep on Dahlman as a player who can provide nice minutes off the bench. He'll be better in an open-court style as well.
There's plenty of time to delve into this team and what should be an exciting college basketball season around East Lansing. Now back to your regularly scheduled MSU-Ohio State football week.
"in my sites now"? Who proofread this, Kimmerly?
Posted by: New_Prep_Guru | October 17, 2007 at 08:55 PM
Did anyone hear Go Green Go White at the stadium on Saturday!!!!! It was so loud!!!!!
Posted by: Sparty | October 17, 2007 at 10:38 PM
Too bad it was when we had the ball.
Posted by: Dave | October 17, 2007 at 11:11 PM
yeah it was plenty loud but like dave said, the wrong time. the wave was also at the wrong time. pay attention to the game!
Posted by: bradford | October 17, 2007 at 11:26 PM
Geefark Mathalovski of Poland Basketball Recruiting services was in the USA yesterday. His TOP 5 are:
Louisville
Memphis
North Carolina
Gonzaga
Michigan State
Georgetown
Contact geefark at mathalovski_balls@aol.com
Posted by: Egibadaio | October 18, 2007 at 02:21 AM
that's 6
Posted by: Joel V | October 18, 2007 at 10:47 AM
who are the high school kids who keep posting incoherent messages the last couple weeks?
Contact: 3moreyearsandIcanapplytoSTATE!@hillside_elementary.com
Posted by: mc2000 | October 18, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Scout.com reportring that Jonas Gray is reconsidering his committment to Nebraska. I guess , Blaine Gabbertt, their 5 star recruit QB is visiting Mizzou today.
Stay tuned
Posted by: Redhawk_Down | October 18, 2007 at 11:32 AM
After watching Ringer go off, and seeing Dantonio coach, maybe Gray will be a Sparty soon... !!!!!
Posted by: Mock_drafter | October 18, 2007 at 11:36 AM
Breaking news. Mike Hart has another carry. What a joke. Mike as a Heisman candidate ? If Ringer had as many carries as Hart, obviously,he would have 400 more yards, but the slapdicks, jackwipes in Detroit, and the National Media would still think Hart is better than Ringer. What freakin joke.
Posted by: Mock_drafter | October 18, 2007 at 11:42 AM
The Ringer-Hart thing will work itself out. Yes, Ringer has gotten far fewer carries to this point of the season, but he is healthy (knock wood), whereas Hart is banged up yet again. Early on in the season I questioned the switching out of Ringer and Caulcrick, but with both backs healthy going into the toughest part of the schedule, it seems to have worked.
Posted by: Dave | October 18, 2007 at 12:11 PM
I have checked on some Nebraska sites. Looks like that Jonas Gray thing is for real
Posted by: DaveSas | October 18, 2007 at 12:44 PM
""'in my sites now?' Who proofread this, Kimmerly?""
Hah! I muttered the exact same comment to myself.
Posted by: Bknapp | October 18, 2007 at 01:19 PM
Interesting comments on Jonas Gray. He's a big time player and would be a great fit in Dantonio's schemes. Hopefully a few more wins can get a few more blue chip recruits. Speaking of which, has anyone heard on the status of Nick Perry, the highly rated DE from the Detroit PSL?
Posted by: jv | October 18, 2007 at 01:20 PM
who the hell is kimmerly??? what r u people smoking
Posted by: butch | October 18, 2007 at 03:13 PM
Kimmerly is on the preps beat, but other than that I don't know anything about his spelling and/or proofreading skills. I barely read his stuff.
I give the blogs a break as far as that goes anyway.
Posted by: Michael Motta | October 18, 2007 at 03:59 PM
Kimmerly is the Prep Sports editor at the LSJ and author of the Get Prepped Blog.
I really wish whomever is posting some of these ridiculous rumors and incoherant messages would stop. Please ignore them people.
Posted by: Mark Feather | October 18, 2007 at 04:02 PM
The Jonas Gray story is not a rumor. I have a membership to rivals.com and Scout.com and both are citing the Gabbert story. Scout.com is raising speculation that Jonas might leave. Is that a ridiculous rumor ?
Posted by: MACK | October 18, 2007 at 04:44 PM