Sports: 2010 Basketball Preview

MSU BOASTS DEPTH, EXPERIENCE, & IZZO

            After a flirtation with the NBA, Izzo made a career-defining decision to stay at MSU and to solidify his program among the nation’s elite.

            In June, Spartan Nation took a collective breath of relief after Tom Izzo turned down a lucrative offer to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Izzo declared MSU as his lifelong career home and vowed to shun future NBA overtures.

            “It’s good to know that it matters to people,” says Izzo, referring to the “We Love Izzo” signs and websites that sprouted everywhere during his decision process. “It’s also good the university gave me a chance to look at (the opportunity), because at the end I, made a life-altering decision to stay.”

            With that behind him, Izzo is focusing on a season fraught with as much promise as pitfalls. He will field a deep and Final Four-experienced team that is ranked among the nation’s top three by many media. But he faces another brutal schedule, including as scary a Big Ten conference as he has seen in decades.

            “Duke will be picked No. 1, and we’ll be second or third,” predicts Izzo.  “The problem is that Purdue will be third or fourth, and Ohio State between fourth and sixth.  Then you have Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and even Northwestern, with (Kevin) Coble back from injury.

            “We might have bit off more than we can chew (in the preseason), because the Big Ten schedule is going to be just brutal.”

            MSU’s schedule includes South Carolina and Texas, road trips against Duke and Syracuse, and possible games against the likes of Kentucky, Connecticut, Oklahoma and Washington at the Maui Classic.     

            The good news is that the Spartans lost just one starter—forward Raymar Morgan—from a team that made two straight Final Fours.  Guards Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers opted to return to MSU for their senior seasons, resisting temptations to enter the NBA draft. In 2000, Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson also bypassed the NBA, returned for their senior seasons, and led MSU to the NCAA title.

          Izzo likes the historic parallel. “The big question mark is whether we have a center that’s proven,” he notes, promptly adding, “I like the pieces we have to try to prove something.”

          The “pieces” include sophomore Derrick Nix, who along with junior Draymond Green, might sport a slimmer and sleeker physique; sophomore Garrick Sherman, who gained considerable minutes last season as a true freshman;  and 6-10 incoming freshman Adreian Payne, a highly-touted recruit who is recovering from surgery to mend a separated shoulder. 

          MSU returnees include point guard Kalin Lucas, who has the proven ability to hit winning baskets, backed by Korie Lucious, who hit the buzzer-beating three-pointer against Maryland in the NCAAs. Lucas was named Big Ten Player of the Year in 2009, his sophomore season.  Wingmen Durrell Summers and Chris Allen can light up the boards. Summers elevated his play during the NCAA tournament and looks to perform at that level consistently. “Day Day” Green is a versatile playmaker and leader who can do multiple things to help the team win. Forward Delvon Roe continues to battle assorted ailments, but Izzo says he has the potential to make a dramatic improvement and be an explosive force. “He’s on track to be 95 percent healthy,” he says.  “If so, you’ll see a star like the player I recruited.” Nix and Sherman return with a year’s experience, ready to make an expected improvement.  Walk-on Austin Thornton provides even more depth.

          In addition, MSU welcomes a highly-ranked recruiting class led by Payne, along with McDonald All-American Keith Appling, Russell Byrd and Alex Gauna. 

          How much playing time will these newcomers get?  “You almost hope not a lot, because that would mean the other guys didn’t improve,” says Izzo, who nonetheless calls Appling one of the most “college-ready” players he has recruited.

          Izzo believes that this year’s team has enough depth to be a “great” running team.  “Last year we had depth, but not everyone was in great shape, so we were only a good running team,” he explains. “This year we can be more like the 2005 team and keep up the pressure on teams.”    

          Izzo boasts continuity in the program, with assistants Mark Montgomery, Duane Stephens and Mike Garland returning as well.  With his great success in the NCAA tournament, where he has reached six Final Fours since 1999—the best record of any active coach—Izzo says it has helped in recruiting.

          “We’re not changing our recruiting philosophy,” he explains.  “We try to get very good players, including some McDonald All-Americans, and stay within a radius so we can maintain a family atmosphere. 

          “We’re a more viable option (for top recruits) than we were 10 years ago.”

          All of which makes Izzo happy he has decided to stay.  “I feel really great about my decision,” he says.  “I don’t have any remorse. I have a very positive feeling, and my focus is now on making this the best college basketball job in the country.”

A ROSY OUTLOOK FOR MERCHANT 

            Despite losing a four-time All-Big Ten defensive player and power upfront, Suzy Merchant hopes to vie for the conference title.

            Fans of MSU women’s basketball will notice the lack of All-American center Allyssa DeHaan, the 6-9 ball rejection machine who ranks second all-time in the NCAA for career blocks. 

            “She’ll definitely be missed,” says coach Suzy Merchant.  “She did so many things for us. Her presence alone caused teams to change their game plans.”

            Nonetheless, Merchant, who was recently inducted into a Traverse City sports hall of fame, intends to win despite the departures of DeHaan, Lauren Aitch and Aisha Jefferson.  “What we give up in power and strength, we hope to gain elsewhere—maybe in speed and quickness.  We’ll play a little more face-up in the post and rely more on speed and quickness.”

            One returnee will be sophomore Courtney Schiffauer, who was leading MSU with 17 points-a-game last year before a season-ending injury.  Others include senior point guard Brittany Thomas and senior forward Kalisha Keane, winner of last year’s Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year award.  Says Merchant, “I consider her a starter.” Other returnees include Lykendra Johnson, Porsche Poole and Cetera Washington.

            “We will have a good blend of veterans with experience and youth,” says Merchant.  “Our goal is to win the Big Ten championship, and to do that we have to beat (current champions) Ohio State, which has everyone back.”

            The incoming freshmen include 6-7 center Madison Williams, the second Spartan McDonald’s All American, and Michigan Miss Basketball Klarissa Bell.  “We’ve liked her since she was a sophomore,” says Merchant.  “She brings a transition attack.”  Other newcomers include Annalise Pickrel and Bryonna Davis.  Helping Merchant are assistants Shane Clipfell, Rick Albro and Tempie Brown.