Hey, at least there aren't any stress fractures!

Tom Izzo looked a bit, shall we say, downtrodden after tonight's 76-53 exhibition win over Grand Valley State.

    All these injuries have stifled some of the things he wanted to get done in the preseason, and now Gonzaga is a week away and there's no guarantee Raymar Morgan will play in that game. Morgan is "99 percent" not playing in the Friday opener vs. Florida Gulf Coast, Izzo said.
    Meanwhile, Chris Allen (groin) is a question mark, though a better bet to play Friday. Delvon Roe is not a certainty because of the concussion he suffered in the opener, but Izzo said he could have played tonight if it were an NCAA game. So it sounds like he'll go. And Izzo said he's even worried that Durrell Summers won't be able to go because of the cut over the eye he suffered tonight. Summers did play in the second half, but the eye was almost completely closed up afterward.
    So that's the main story at Breslin. The next two prominent story lines are the freshmen advancing past Tom Herzog (at this point anyway, it's still early, but it's clear Izzo is looking for more from Herzog), and Draymond Green becoming one of the team's best players and vocal leaders.
    "He's by far the guy that gets it," Izzo said. "Kalin is making some progress and Raymar isn't playing."
    Watching Green play right now, I have to think back to the summer of 2007, when Green committed to MSU over Michigan and Indiana, and the general reaction from MSU fans was: "Cool, kept him away from U-M and he adds some depth."
    Do you realize how huge that moment is going to end up being? I dare say Michigan would be the better team right now if Green went Blue.

   
   

Comments

[jeff]

Green = Ton'

[Pistol]

From the comments that I have read- Herzog just doesn't have it. Comments about having to rest him to keep him fresh - hasn't he been at State for 4 years!!! That is enough time to bulk up and get in shape. I hope he can contribute this year.

Does anyone remember the transformation Kevin Willis went through - I was at State when he was there - good player, but a string bean - 1-2 years in the NBA - he was a beast - huge compared to his years at State,

[Beavis]

Sorry, Joe, but there's no way UM would be better than State if Green had gone there. It makes for a sexy comment, though.

[jmoist]

Day Day is everything you want from a basketball player, and will be the true leader of this squad by big ten play. I also look forward to Clark Kellog refering to him as the "dancing bear."

[Jeff Lubeck]

Okay, lets get this out of the way early.
I will admit I am the guy who lives out west watching all games on BTN, ESPN et al., plus webcasts and goes to tourney games (i.e., last year all the way to FF and the euthanization given by UNC in the first six minutes).
Joe is even nice enough to humor me and respond to me via email because of my Media experience [Associate Producer/Director of the first MSU BBall game on ESPN] and MSU heritage.
1. Tom Herzog is probably a wonderful young man but Nix and Sherman have already passed him. N&S have a feel for the game at this level and TH does not and never will. Nix is the equivalent of the “fat” man who dances on the floor with the finest babe, but ultimately gets everyone’s attention and respect because of his skills. Nix has cut his weight remarkably well, but can do even better (think D. Green at this time last year). Sherman is already beyond serviceable, and appears to actually execute spacing and picks a bit better than Nix.
2. I said Green was going to be an MSU kind of guy early last year and he is doing everything to [sic., continue] to prove me correct. Gotta love it. D. Green please do not let things go to your head. You are capable of even better.
3. Dear, Allen, Morgan and Roe, please head to the drug store section at Meijer’s on Grand River and get some 2nd skin and the like. Cmon’ guys - toughen up. This comes from a guy who played Major Junior A Hockey [age 16] prior to going to college. “Groin injury?” I played with a groin injury for a full season of 75 league games and scored 78 goals.
4. And you Summers, yes you Summers with the cut over his eye and may not play? Please watch Dr, Strangelove – “I didn’t say we weren’t going to get our hair mussed.”
5. And you Izzo, yes you TI [i.e., Tom Izzo] what is with this downtrodden demeanor – as noted by cub reporter Joe Rexrode.? My guess (and hope) is Lupe already is gently knocking you upside the head for this approach. Please do not walk into the coach’s handshake at the start of official game one 2009 (against Florida Guantanomo] with a limp.
6. Three, four and five above sound somewhat like Kentucky Basketball. MSU has not fallen to the level of Kentucky basketball has it?
7. Dear Spartans, despite all the silly comments above, follow your coaches’ inclination and direction; play at game speed, and good luck in 2009-2010.

[vnflcards]

Green is going to be a "stat-sheet stuffer." Points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks, he can do it all.

I agree that a big guy with his skills would be a big help in Beilein's system at UM.

I also think State will go small in crunch time and put their best lineup on the court: Green, Roe, Morgan, Summers, Lucas.

[dizzle Nate]

Rexy-

Wasn't D Green a pick-6, de-committ, swoop and swipe for us once Tubby "resigned" early from Kentucky or are you saying he chose State in said aftermath of said resignation?

[actraiser]

It's kind of funny how many different nicknames Green has gotten. This past year I've heard Day Day,Big Baby, Tank, Dray, and of course Dancing Bear.

I don't know which one is official but Dancing Bear is particularly fun to say :D

[actraiser]

"Michigan would be the better team right now if Green went Blue."

Well that's a bit dramatic but we all know you don't actually believe that :p At least I hope not..

[NYSpartan]

Hey Jeff Lubeck, sorry, I'm trying to decipher if your post was about the basketball team or if you are just dealing with some confidence issues. "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me"! In your next post, I hope to hear how your little league batting average relates to Korie Lucious' bum ankle. (just a little joking around in good fun, sorry)

[Service apartments in bangalore]

Good comment.

[The Richman]

It is good to be Green!

[AtlSpartan]

Gonzaga looms large. First test while we are up top. We'll see if they are ready to work this season.

[jeff]

why is it every year we have guys hurt early? what a bunch of wimps..I thought Izzo made these guys tough, but they are always sick with the flu, sprains, etc....what gives??

[Jerry landry]

Hey guys, what about the play of Dalhman and Thorton. Both hit 3 pointers off a set play and are playing defense. It looks to me that they will be able to spell the whimps and offer some continuity. Those freshmen are throwing bricks at the freethrow line and that will make them liabilities in close games. Izzo already told Andy Katz that we would have 5 losses early, so lets not get too excited until the Big Ten season starts.

[Trophy]

Green will be a hero this year, hard worker, smart, great attitude, talented, he's got it all.

[Joe Rexrode]

Yes, Green originally committed to Kentucky, then opened it up after Tubby left. And no, I'm not just saying that to raise eyebrows. Manny, Sims and Green as a trio would be devastating. He's exactly what U-M is missing, a banger on the boards with skill, and his passing would be a huge asset in that offense. MSU would still have a more talented roster top to bottom, but I think it's very possible U-M would be better.
Don't forget to join us for a video chat at 2 p.m. today! Football and basketball on the agenda.

[A YOU KIDDING ME]

Jeff Lubeck:
Please never post here again. Now we all know you are Batman, Ironman, and Spiderman all wrapped up in one.

[jerseyjohn]

i'm with you jeff but don't you dare pick on these poor little babies or these bloggers will call you a jackoff like one idiot called me last week.

[zing]

Lubeck...jesus man, let's keep the posts to a max of 50 words big guy.

You might look into weekly therapy or try e-harmony if you're lonely.

Dancing Bear for President 2016!

[79_Spartan]

I guess we know who has street cred.

But I do agree with JL, TI should put the mope act away and demonstrate that things that happen, happen, but it is simply water of the ducks back to TI...

[SpartyOn]

Can somebody who has seen the preseason games say a little about how Herzog has looked so far?

[Luna Lovegood]

I saw both games, and Herzog looked tall and skinny to me.

[Tanfan]

Zogger need boards baby !!!
The Tanner is on fire baby !!!

[karatechop6]

Spartyon - I watched the game last night and thought Herzog looked the same as in past years. Now and then he looked decent around the basket, but the players on GVSU were about a foot shorter than him, and didn't really have any post moves. I just don't see Herzog being the answer underneath this year. But I better watch what I say because I got ripped a couple weeks ago for saying the same thing.

Both Nix and Sherman looked good. Nix seems to play with anger and intensity, similar to Draymond (IMO). It was tough to take away much from that game though. It was very sloppy...probably because Roe, Morgan, and Allen didn't play. Plus Summers got hurt and was limited. The timing was off, and the team had a hard time running their sets.

I'm curious to see what others thought...