Sports: Excitement and Youth Mark the 1997 Cagers

This year's cagers will likely be athletic and exciting, but must overcome their youth and inexperience. In his debut season last year, Tom Izzo showed a flair for coaching. He put together a winning streak during the first half of the conference season, earning some 'Coach of the Year' buzz from the media. But to win, he had to resort to a defensive style of basketball. That was not his preference.

This year, Izzo is one step closer to fielding the kind of team he likes--one that combines a blitzkrieg attack with a Maginot Line defense, to use some war terminology. 'I'd like to get back to the running game,' says Izzo. 'That has been synonymous with Michigan State and synonymous with Tom Izzo.' To execute the fast break, however, you need athletes. And this year, MSU will sport a more athletic team than last season. 'In the past, we've had bruisers inside, guys like Pep (Mike Peplowski), (Jamie) Feick and Pig (Anthony) Miller,' explains Izzo. 'Now, with (junior college transfer center Dujuan) Wiley, we can run the floor more. I think the fans will like our uptempo style.'

His major concern, however, is inexperience. 'Our experienced players will be inexperienced in their roles this year,' says Izzo. 'Senior Jon Garavaglia has to become an inside scorer, sophomore Antonio Smith will move to power forward, and senior Ray Weathers will move to shooting guard. However, the good news is we'll have people back in their natural positions.'

Izzo expects MSU to be 'solid' at the guard positions, with junior Thomas Kelley and freshman recruit Mateen Cleaves, ranked by some analysts as the nation's premier point guard recruit, competing for the point. Though hampered by a stress reaction syndrome in his lower back, which rendered him inactive for several months, Cleaves is expected to compete this season. 'We have a couple of lightning-quick kids who are also adequate shooters,' enthuses Izzo. 'Thomas can penetrate and kick out. Mateen is strong enough to penetrate and finish. Both can play defense.'

The two-guard position will be occupied by Weathers, who was pressed into duty at the point last season. 'Ray has worked really hard on his shooting,' notes Izzo. 'He's not a pure shooter, but he's a scorer--a great athlete who can also rebound and defend. He offers the total package and is one of the best in the league as far as being able to do different things.'

Other contenders the shooting guard are junior Anthony Mull, underclass swingmen Morris Peterson and Jason Klein, and newcomer David Thomas. The paint will be manned by newcomer Wiley, a great shot blocker and athlete, Smith, a strong rebounding force, and Garavaglia, a versatile shooter. 'Jon will be used in the high post, low post and everywhere else,' says Izzo. 'He has good moves and will make a great improvement.' Izzo describes Peterson as 'a phenomenal leaper who has 3-point range and great offensive rebounding skills.' He describes Klein as the team's best shooter. '(Gene) Keady (who coached the Big Ten traveling squad this summer) said Jason played well and that he was surprised by Jason's athleticism.' And he describes newcomer Thomas as 'a versatile kid who can play everywhere, who brings good perimeter skills, understands the game well, and is athletic at 6-7.' 'We definitely need to be a better passing and shooting perimeter team this year,' says Izzo.

Rounding out the roster are senior forward Steve Polonowski, freshman center Ken Miller, and freshman forward A.J. Granger. Returning as assistants are Tom Crean. Stan Heath, who formerly coached at Wayne State and Bowling Green, and Mike Garland, who once played with Izzo, have been named as new assistant coaches. 'We're building, and we're heading in the right direction,' Izzo sums up. 'We need one more Top 15 recruiting class, then we can be in the national picture. In the meantime, we'll be improved. We'll excite the fans, because we have more athletes, and we have young talent.'

THE 'FLINTSTONES'

MSU boasts four players from Flint: Antonio Smith, Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and Anthony Mull. Another Flint player, Charlie Bell, has signed to play for MSU next season.

WOMEN'S HOOPS LED BY SENIORS

MSU's women's basketball team boasts senior leadership this season, and that might be one reason the Spartans are ranked 4th in the Big Ten in the pre-season. Point guard Tamika Matlock, guard Cheri Euler and forward Paula Sanders are senior tri-captains. 'Their leadership and their work ethic are a huge plus for us,' says Karen Langeland, who begins her 21st season as head coach.

MSU returns all five starters from last year, when it mustered an 18-11 record, 9-7 in the Big Ten for fifth, and its second NCAA appearance. Seniors Akilah Collier and Alana Burns return, along with junior Bella Engen, sophomore Nicole Cushing and touted newcomer Kristen Rasmussen. Joining MVP Matlock and Euler in the backcourt will be junior Jamie Wesley and freshman Maxann Reese, Michigan's 1995 Miss Basketball. Freshman Whitney Winberg, at 6-3 a true center, rounds out MSU's vaunted freshman class. 'We are going to get better and improve on our standing in the Big Ten where I think we can be a factor,' says Langeland. Assisting Langeland are Cheryl Dozier and Angela Jackson, and first year coach Carolyn Jenkins.