Sports: Can MSU Survive "Murderers Row"?

            MSU plays a “Murderers Row” of Kansas, Duke, Oklahoma, Kentucky, UCLA and Syracuse as a prelude to the Big Ten. 

            “Has (Tom) Izzo gone nuts?”

            That’s what one MSU fan said after seeing MSU’s incredible preseason schedule, likely the toughest in the nation, and arguably the toughest in history.  It includes away games at last year’s NCAA finalists, Kansas and Syracuse, and contests against perennial powerhouses—Kentucky, Oklahoma, Duke and UCLA.  Depaul, Penn and South Florida are no pushovers.

            “It’s scary,” concedes Izzo, shortly after his return from the Dominican Republic, where he coached the U.S. Pan American team.  “But it’s also exciting. 

            “You have to look at this as an incredible opportunity for the players.  You have a chance to play in a pro football stadium (Ford Field vs. Kentucky, Dec. 13)), in a pro basketball arena (Palace of Auburn Hills vs. Oklahoma, Dec. 6), in a dome (Carrier Dome vs. Syracuse, Jan. 3), and against the most prestigious and storied programs ever (Duke on Dec. 3, at Kansas on Nov. 25, and at UCLA Dec. 20).  It doesn’t get much better.

            “And, hopefully, it makes you better in the long run.  If you look at the big picture—the program, instead of just wins—then this philosophy is pretty good.”

            Pretty good, but maybe not pretty.  Two problems arise.  First, the schedule was made before Erazem Lorbek announced his decision to turn pro.  Lorbek, a 6’9” forward from Slovenia who could shoot the trey, was a key cog during MSU’s impressive run in the NCAA tourney last season.  Secondly, consider the math.  If MSU goes 7-4 in the preseason, to achieve 20 wins it will need 13 wins in the brutal Big Ten—which Izzo was able to muster only once  in the 1999-2000 national championship season.  Moreover, admits Izzo, in his nine seasons as MSU head coach this year’s league competition could be “the strongest ever, from top to bottom.”

            When confronted with this reality, Izzo jokes, “I say, ‘Fire Hollis,’” referring to assistant athletics director Mark Hollis, who masterminded the schedule as well as the “BasketBowl” at Ford Field.

            One thing is sure.  MSU will be in the national limelight, bigtime.  A new world attendance record will be set at Ford Field.  The Coca Cola Classic reunites Depaul, Penn and Indiana State—the broadcast record-setting 1979 Final Four teams in Salt Lake City—at Breslin Center.  And the spotlight might even shine on MSU’s debut game against the Magic Johnson All-Stars, which might boast an extra superstar or two.

            Another thing could be true.  The tough schedule could better prepare MSU for the postseason, just as it did last season.  As Izzo puts it, “I won’t go after anyone’s win records, but I’m going for their national championship records.”

            Does the 2003-2004 Spartans have what it takes to knock on the championship door again? 

            Izzo believes so.  “I love the team,” he enthuses.  “We have experience.  Alan Anderson, Kelvin Torbert, Chris Hill and Tim Bograkos—these guys have gone through the wars.”

            Izzo looks forward to seeing improvements by current players, beginning with Anderson, who is said to have had a terrific summer in general and to have improved his shooting.  Torbert, who averaged 11.5 points in his last 16 games, could emerge.  Sophomores Maurice Ager and Paul Davis benefited from international competition, as did Chris Hill, a member of Izzo’s Pan American team.  Notes Izzo, “Chris didn’t play a ton, but the experience helped him.”

            Some newcomers can also emerge, says Izzo: 

• Redshirt Freshman Delco Rowley:  “He brings high energy, muscle and strength.  There’s an aura about him.  It’s a matter of getting experience.”
• Freshman Drew Naymick:  “He originally though of red-shirting, but that won’t happen.  I’m very pleased with him.”
• Freshman Brandon Cotton, a MacDonald’s All-American:  “He’s athletic and quick, can get into the lane.  It’s just a question of getting used to the size and strength of college players.”
• Freshman Shannon Brown, also a MacDonald’s All-American:  “He’s just 17, but is amazing.  When you look at his body and athleticism, it’s impressive, but even more impressive is his work ethic, which is not the norm with star players.  He brings Mateen Cleaves’ work ethic with tremendous basketball skills.”

            But question marks also loom, beginning with the effect of Lorbek’s unexpected departure.

            “All of a sudden, we have to rely on freshmen again,” bemoans Izzo.  “We lost more than just one key player.  People who didn’t appreciate Al Anagonye and Adam Ballinger soon will.  We lost three big bodies.”

            Another concern is senior center Jason Andreas, who is recovering from three months of inactivity following surgery.

            Izzo has two new assistants, Doug Woczik from North Carolina, and former Spartan player Dwayne Stephens from Marquette, who join assistant Mark Montgomery.  They replace longtime aides Brian Gregory and Mike Garland, now head coaches at Dayton and Cleveland State.  Although he has to break in the new coaches, Izzo says, “I have a great, great staff.”

            Besides his stint as head coach of the U.S. Pan American team, Izzo also spends time dealing with advising the NCAA president and in solving national issues as a board member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.  With multiple basketball issues cropping up in the news, Izzo has had to spend time on tasks he describes as “tedious and thankless.” But, as he puts it, “You either become part of the problem or you become part of the solution.”

            But he looks forward to the season.  “I think (this season) will be very exciting for the fans,” he predicts.  “We have probably the most athletic team since I’ve been here.”