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

[Joel V]

Look, guys, injuries happen. It's part of the game/practice. Wouldn't you rather have Izzo sit these guys out early instead of them playing now and never fully healing? Then the injuries would nag all year. And last I checked, skating on ice is a different motion than running, shuffling, jumping, etc.

[Joel V]

Couple things:
I think D. Green said last year he had never heard the "dancing bear" moniker (though it is my personal fave now). During his senior year, at games in Saginaw he was often called "Day Day" so that's an original.
As far as the injuries go, they're frustating, but they happen. They're a part of the game. I'd rather have Allen and Summers sit now instead of reaggravting injuries and continuing to be hurt throughout the season. If Summers' eye is that swelled, he can't do anything about it and won't be much help if he has no depth perception. And for Allen, that sort of thing can get worse if not healed. And you may be able to skate on ice with a groin injury, but that's quite a different motion that running, shuffling on D, jumping, etc.
GO GREEN!!

[Joel V]

Oops, sorry, didn't realize the first one went through.

[karatechop6]

For those who watched the game last night - Did you happen to notice the goofy shadow stripe design and large Spartan head on the back of the new uniforms? Not a fan at all...

[MoPete42]

Sparty on-
I've been to both games plus all the pre-season games last year as well. T.H. looks about the same as he did last year. He doesn't have a strong base, basically no balance so it is very easy for him to get pushed around. He is also missing upper body strength and that was evident yesterday when he grabed a rebound with both hands and had it yanked out by a guard. He seems a step or two slow, like he still doesn't understand his role on the team. He does seem to have some offensive moves but it doesn't matter because opponents can either push him out away from the bucket or just steal the ball.

His biggest issue though in my eyes is his lack of balance, lack of a strong base. The dude needs to go learn some kung fu, that would help tremendously.

[jomiri469]

Herzog was a project from the start, one that you're much more willing to take a chance on when he's a 7 footer. Really feel bad for Morgan as it seems as if he's been on the injured list his whole career and now, maybe more of the same with Roe. Stars have to play and play very well for any team to reach the heights.

[prm]

All Draymond Green lacks is a teammate named White so we can chant, Go Green, Go White at them. Maybe Blair White will walk on for bb when football ends? Green has a real chance to have his jersey retired if his progress continues.

[Joe Blow]

Draymond would be huge at UM...if he lost all the weight he lost at State. Who knows if that ever would've happened under Bline.

And regarding Herzog's weight...he had some anxiety disorder that prevented him from gaining some poundage. He's the most experienced 5 we got, albeit he's never played significant minutes, so let's just see what happens after a few more weeks of live action before casting any judgement on the guy. I was still upset at Suton last year for missing that layup in Hawaii 5 years ago, but quickly forgave him after his performance in the NCAA in the spring.

[Cuttin'DownTheNets]

Check out www.hockeydb.com for the illustrious stats (or lack thereof) of Jeff Lubeck.

[They will never stop]

JR...I still think you're smokin' dope regarding UofM would be the 'better' team. Yeah...they'd have a nice trio...but what's up after that? Morgan, Allen, Lucas, Summers, etc. Three of those guy will play at the next level. I like Green...however...he doesn't have the size of a NBA 4 and he's not quck enough for a 3. He'll be a very good college player...but he's helped out by the team he's playing for.