Sports: MSU to Showcase Versatility & MSU Will Pound the Ball Inside

            Look for the 2008-09 men’s cagers to reach elite status, if some key variables in Tom Izzo’s plan pan out.

            Fourteen seasons ago, Tom Izzo took over as MSU men’s basketball coach and tried to turn an average team into a good team. 

            Today he’s working just as hard, only his goal is to turn a good team into an elite team.

            “We have a lot of pieces of the puzzle,” says Izzo.  “There are two key wait-and-sees.  One is chemistry.  Can (sophomore point guard) Kalin Lucas develop more leadership skills?  Can (junior forward) Raymar Morgan take over more consistently? The other key is toughness. 

            “If they happen, this team can go from a good team to an elite team.”

            Izzo’s optimism is based on last year’s team success, the improvement of key players, and a trio of newcomers led by forward Delvon Roe—a player whose credentials are so stellar he ended up ranked in the Top Ten while recovering from knee surgery.

            “We will have an exciting team,” predicts Izzo.  “It will be our most athletic team since 2005.  We’ll be able to pressure more and run at every opportunity.  We can go big, go small, go with two forwards who can run and score.  We have depth at guard and lots of versatility.”

            Izzo believes last season’s 27 wins was even more significant given MSU’s tough schedule.  He calls this year’s schedule “almost masochistic,” with foes like North Carolina, Kansas, and Texas, and with some big names looming in Orlando (Georgetown, Tennessee and Oklahoma State, among others).

            Although MSU suffered two notable losses—to Memphis in the Sweet Sixteen, and to Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament—Izzo believes the two that really cost the team were at Penn State and Iowa. “Memphis could have beaten the Lakers that night,” he says of a near-perfect first half.

            Although MSU lost steady performer Drew Neitzel, and inside role player Drew Naymick, other players have reportedly made great strides over the summer.  “(Seniors) Marquise Gray and Goran Suton have made huge strides,” says Izzo.  “(Sophomores) Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers and Chris Allen have all reportedly made strides.  (Junior point guard) Travis Walton has really improved on his shooting.  Last year he worked hard on his shooting but then was sidelined for four weeks.  (Redshirt freshman) Tom Herzog is finally gaining some weight—I think he’s almost up to 250 pounds.

            “Then you have Ibok Idong, Isaiah Dahlman and Raymar Morgan,” says Izzo.  “They work hard.  Can Morgan step up and be a consistent star instead of a part-time star?”

            “Unfortunately, the freshmen have made the least progress, because of injuries.  (Korie) Lucious had shoulder surgery, Roe had knee surgery, and (Draymond) Green has had an ankle issue, but he’s making progress there and also on his weight.”

            Also returning as assistants are Mark Montgomery, Dwayne Stephens and Mike Garland.

            At a personal level, Izzo feels “rejuvenated” to the extent that the MSU athletic family has found some stability with president Lou Anna K. Simon, athletics director Mark Hollis, football coach Mark Dantonio, and women’s basketball coach Suzy Merchant.  “We had five athletic directors in the last 13 years,” he notes.  “And we’ve had five football coaches.  If you’re a program guy, and you care about the university like I do, those things can become a drag.

            “I can’t wait to see the day when both football and basketball have a shot to win a national championship.”

MSU WILL POUND THE BALL INSIDE      

            MSU led the entire Big Ten in total wins last season and now comes back deeper, stronger and healthier in the post.

            Last season MSU’s women’s basketball team overcame key injuries, youth and inexperience and made an extended postseason run in the National Invitational Tournament.

            When the dust settled, MSU had notched 23 wins—more than any other Big Ten team.

            “That was a pleasant surprise,” says coach Suzy Merchant.  “We were the seventh youngest team in the country.  We started two sophomores and three freshmen.”

            But key injuries to playmaker Mia Johnson and power forward Aisha Jefferson hampered MSU’s effectiveness, allowing defenses to key on center Allyssa DeHaan.  “A.J. was our emotional leader, and losing her made a tremendous impact on both offense and defense,” notes Merchant.

            Both Johnson and Jefferson are back healthy, elected tri-captains along with junior guard Mandy Piechowski.  “They’ve worked hard over the summer, and they have great focus,” says Merchant.  “The team has made a great improvement in the weight room, on the track, and basketballwise.  We’re all really excited.  Come October, I think we’ll be hitting on all cylinders.”

            There’s no secret that with a healthy Jefferson, MSU will try to pound the ball inside.  MSU’s 6-9 junior center DeHaan could find more room to operate playing alongside Jefferson. 

            “We’ll be big and athletic, even at the guard positions,” says Merchant.  “And we’ll be deeper.”

            Sophomore guard Brittney Thomas and forward Kalisha Keane saw considerable playing time as freshmen.  Junior center Lauren Aitch proved effective inside.  Returning as assistants are Shane Clipfell, Evelyn Thompson and Rick Albro.