Sports: Spartan Hoops Has Something to Prove

            How will MSU fare after losing three players drafted by the NBA?  Tom Izzo is not ready to concede anything just yet.

            Expectations for men’s basketball in the Tom Izzo era have tended to be sky high, but this year they might be a tad more down to earth.

            “It’s understandable when you lose four starters and such a high percentage of your scoring and rebounding,” bemoans Tom Izzo, a four-time National Coach of the Year.  “But not being a favorite is something I don’t want to get accustomed to. 

            “We can be a good basketball team, but it’s going to take a different way.”

            That might imply getting back to playing relentless defense, and perhaps using more zone defenses than normal.  But the key, Izzo believes, is whether players will step up, as did Adam Ballinger in 2002 after the graduation of key veterans who had accounted for about 80 percent of the scoring. 

            This year’s team will revolve around returning guards Drew Neitzel and Travis Walton, and promising forward Raymar Morgan, a freshman with a Big Ten-ready physique.  Marquise Gray and Drew Naymick, back from lengthy injuries, and Goran Suton are expected to contribute heavily.  With the early departure of shooting guard Shannon Brown to the NBA, freshman swingman Isaiah Dahlman might have to contribute right away.

            “Neitzel can have a big, big year,” predicts Izzo.  “I like his demeanor—confident, but not cocky.”

            Fellow guard Walton, who excelled at defense last year, could have more offensive production, says Izzo.  “He’ll have an opportunity to shoot the ball,” he says. “But is he a shooter?  Not yet.”

            Izzo touts the freshman class as “winners,” noting they boast a combined win-loss record of 152-8.  Swingman Morgan brings many skills, including offensive rebounding.  Both Dahlman and 7-footer Tim Herzog come with great accolades.

            It’s hard to predict how Gray and Naymick will emerge, given their lengthy injuries, says Izzo.  Gray had a screw inserted to shore up his foot, while Naymick is injury-free for the first time in two years.  Suton has slimmed down and is expected to be a solid contributor. 

            “Our goal is to get to the NCAA tournament,” says Izzo, noting that MSU trails only two schools in the number of consecutive appearances.

            Izzo believes his program is in great shape.  It enjoys great national exposure, with up to a possible 18 appearances on national television this season.  The program enjoys a terrific home court where MSU wins at a 91 percent clip.  Izzo’s program has set the academic pace for the nation, having graduated 21 players since 2000.  His schedules rank among the nation’s toughest; last season MSU faced 18 tournament-bound teams, tops in the nation.  And for those who follow recruiting, Izzo has some highly-touted talents committed for the next two years.

            Most importantly, the head coach himself is ready to roll up his sleeves and get back to some blue-collar type challenges.