Sports: Heathcote Expects A Winning Final
Jud believes the Spartan hoopsters will excel in his 19th and final season as MSU head coach. Wipe away the tears. Don't keep bringing up the memories. Going into his 19th and final season as MSU basketball coach, Jud Heathcote remains his same ascerbic self--quick with the one-liners, aggressive with the head-thumps, but very, very impatient with any emotional display of farewells. 'I'm going to be very involved with coaching a basketball team, not with all that nostalgia stuff,' Jud harrumphs emphatically.
The good news: Everyone believes Jud will enjoy considerable success this season.
Athlon's rates MSU third in the Big Ten, Lindy's rates MSU second, and other media similarly rank the Spartans among the league's elite. Associate head coach Tom Izzo, who will act in effect as 'co-coach' before he takes over next year, remains optimistic as usual. 'I figure that the confidence everyone has about our team will help out team,' reasons Izzo. 'From top to bottom, the league will be scrunched together. Nine teams can win. It'll be a heck of a race, and we'll be in the thick of it.'
And for once, Jud, normally known for his pessimism, seconds those opinions. 'I'm excited,' he enthuses. 'We'll have a very good team in the Big Ten. We'll have what I think is the best combination backcourt in the Big Ten, maybe in the country, with Shawn Respert and Eric Snow.'
Shawn Respert, of course, is MSU's marquis player--last year's MVP, one of the nation's premier shooters, an explosive performer around whom the team will revolve. A pre-season first-team All-American pick by Basketball Times and probable first round draft choice, Respert chose to bypass the NBA draft last year to return for his senior season. Last summer he helped the U.S. team win the Goodwill Games bronze medal. 'There's no better shooter or scorer in the country than Shawn Respert,' says Jud, who rarely gives such sweeping accolades.
His backcourt mate, point guard Eric Snow, led the Big Ten in assists last year. 'More importantly for our team,' adds Jud, 'Eric is our best defensive player.'
A magnificent athlete, Snow has the strength and quickness to penetrate and either score or dish off. He can push the ball up the court and has worked hard to improve his outside shooting. 'We're a team on a mission,' says Snow. 'The biggest difference this year is that we won't be satisfied with second or third. We want the championship ring.'
Pushing for third guard are several players, including newcomers Ray Weathers of Jackson and Thomas Kelley of Grand Rapids. Weathers sat out last due to Proposition 42 and has had a fine summer, while Kelley enjoyed some all- star success after recovering from a knee injury. Senior Andy Penick, a good outside shooter, becomes eligible in January. 'They have tremendous athletic ability,' raves Jud of the two newcomers, 'Ray Weathers more defensively than offensively, Thomas Kelley more offensively than defensively. They both have the ability to play guard in the Big Ten.' Look also for an improved front line. '(The inside players) worked hard to improve over the summer,' notes Jud. 'As a result, the inside line will be adequate, instead of suspect. '(Junior) Jamie Feick bulked up to 255 pounds and he'll be a pretty good center. (Sophomore and former Michigan 'Mr. Basketball') Jon Garavaglia has improved. He understands how to aim better, he's developed a post move or two, and is stronger and more physical around the basket. Both of them are pretty good passers.' Completing the inside threat is junior Quinton Brooks, a quick and athletic small forward Jud says 'can put the ball in the basket whenever he's around the basket.'
Other inside players include versatile senior forward Daimon Beathea, who'll be sixth man in the rotation, and sophomore forward Steve Polonowski.
Jud is ably assisted by associate coach Tom Izzo, and assistant coaches Stan Joplin and Brian Gregory. And recruiting for next year, head coach designate Izzo got off to a rousing start with two early verbal commitments: Antonio Smith of Flint, a 6-8 power forward, and Jason Klein of Gross Ile, a 6-7 swingman who can shoot the trey.