Michigan State Basketball

[monkeynuts]

I have a few things to touch on related to MSU bball so I figured I'd start a new thread. Anybody add anything related to Sparty basketball...

a) Maurice Joseph is considering transferring. We probably won't know until after April, but with the very strong incoming guard class and Joseph's inability to actually defend (or hit a shot for the last half of the season showed), it may be wise for him to look elsewhere. I hope he transfers because he sucks and he is a wasted scholarship.

b) Izzo was down in Ohio tonight to watch Delvin Roe (HUGE prospect for 2008 class). Roe is down to North Carolina and MSU right now (from what I've read he is leaning towards the Tar Heels). If MSU could land Roe to go along with some other commitments the next two classes coming to campus would be just sick.

c) From today's State News about next years bball schedule...

"MSU will play at BYU and Bradley, and could have potential matchups with Missouri, Maryland and UCLA in November. The Spartans will likely begin a four-year series with Texas, and they should host their Big Ten/ACC challenge game, possibly against North Carolina or Duke. Izzo also said he's exploring a series with Connecticut."

Looks like Izzo is looking to have an absolutely brutal schedule right now which should challenge our team in the fall. If most of those games fall into place it would be hard to find a tougher schedule in all of college basketball.

d) I'm really sick of these rumors about Izzo going to Kentucky.
- It isn't going to happen.
- Even the thought of it gets me nervous.

[snoogit]

Originally Posted by monkeynuts

d) I'm really sick of these rumors about Izzo going to Kentucky.
- It isn't going to happen.
- Even the thought of it gets me nervous.

Whoever spread this rumor hasn't been paying attention to Billy Donovan.

I'd say he's the next UK coach. Hook line and sinker.

[lionstigersand...]

It certainly does sound as though there will be a return to a more high-profile non-conference schedule, and considering the talent and depth Izzo will have in East Lansing it's the right call. Kansas also owes MSU a match-up, but it sounds as though it will be made up in '08/09.

Izzo loves to pressure the ball full court on defense and push the ball up the floor on offense off both makes and misses - the roster this year simply didn't enable him to do that. In the past, MSU's track record really has bore out that for Izzo's teams, depth is every bit as important as his overall club's talent. I wouldn't be shocked to see 10 or 11 players average double-figure minutes next season. Great front-court depth, Assuming Summers, Lucas and Allen (what's Austin Thorton going to do?) are close to as-advertised, great back-court depth. MSU probably adds more "talent" to it's roster than any other team in the conference, doesn't lose anything from '06-07 - I'm looking forward to it.

[estrepe1]

I don't know if you will get Duke to host a Big Ten/ACC challenge game. Have they ever played one on the road?

Whoever spread this rumor hasn't been paying attention to Billy Donovan.

I'd say he's the next UK coach. Hook line and sinker.

He certainly isn't going out of his way to deny any interest...

I agree that Izzo is probably very unlikely I don't think MSU fans have anything to worry about at this point. I think he is content where he is at.

The top 6 names I have heard in the rumors:

1. Billy Donovan
2. Billy Gillespie
3. Mark Few
4. Tom Crean
5. Rick Barnes
6. John Calipari

Its the one job other than an NBA job that could probably pry Donovan out of Florida... I still don't know if it will happen I would put it around 30% which is up from the 5% I gave it when I first heard the rumor. His lack of denial upped the percentage for me...

Don't worry about Izzo. His name will be thrown around a bit but I don't think he is their main target.

[monkeynuts]

Duke actually destroyed us at Breslin two or three years ago. It wasn't pretty.

lionstigersand...yeah, I'm really excited to see our style of play next year. Those guys coming in next year are supposed to be terrific athletes...it would be a blast if the team had the same type of athleticism that the MoPete/JRich team had. I've seen some clips on YouTube of the incoming fresh (can't find the link now) and should definitely bring some explosiveness to this offense.

[lionstigersand...]

coaching tree...Jim Boylen was hired today to be new coach of the Utah Utes.
It'll be interesting to see who fills the open position on the staff (Mike Garland?). Mark Montgomery won't be there much longer either.

[Buddha]

I could see Izzo ending up with the Pistons one day, but not at UK. No way, no how.

That's Donovan's job. He'll be out of Florida pretty quick after the season's over.

[estrepe1]

Originally Posted by Buddha

I could see Izzo ending up with the Pistons one day, but not at UK. No way, no how.

That's Donovan's job. He'll be out of Florida pretty quick after the season's over.

Agreed. Izzo isn't leaving MSU for another college.

[lionstigersand...]

Originally Posted by lionstigersand...

coaching tree...Jim Boylen was hired today to be new coach of the Utah Utes.
It'll be interesting to see who fills the open position on the staff (Mike Garland?). Mark Montgomery won't be there much longer either.

Well, I guess the Izzo coaching tree actually maintained its current size as Stan Heath was given the hook at Arkansas this afternoon. Certainly could see his return to MSU as a reasonable possibility.

[Edman85]

Kind of a BS move by Arkansas as Heath's recruiting was finally on the brink of paying off... unless they had their eye on somebody from Texas...

[lionstigersand...]

Originally Posted by Edman85

Kind of a BS move by Arkansas as Heath's recruiting was finally on the brink of paying off... unless they had their eye on somebody from Texas...

This is absolutely true imo. If you look at the evolution of Heath's program at Arkansas, I'd would think that's exactly what an Athletic Department would be looking for. Inherited a terrible situation, depleted roster, Nolan Richardson's violations...The parallels between the Arkansas and Michigan program's are many.

The differences: Heath's teams improved in each of his first 4 campaigns, culminating with last season ('05-06), with a roster comprised entirely of his players - winning 10 games in the SEC (wins over Kansas, Tennessee, UF) making the tournament for the first time in a number of seasons...Obviously this season wasn't a clear uptick from last, but they still won 21 games and garnered another at-large bid (albeit a somewhat questionable one). By most accounts that seemed to be a program that was on the right track, I'd be overjoyed if MSU could find a way to bring Heath back into the fold for a season or two - but I think it'll be Mike Garland.

[lionstigersand...]

MoJo is evidently shopping around looking for teams, and a foxsports.com article stated that he was gone, but I'm not sure it's a done deal at this point - although I'd submit that it would probably be in both parties' best interest.

The truly interesting recent occurrence revolves around the recruitment of Delvon Roe. Roe's been a two horse race for awhile now between UNC and MSU but was always seen as a strong UNC lean - until recently. Now most recruiting sources are saying that after a late swing, MSU is the selection he'll make next Tuesday at a press conference. A consensus top 10 talent for '08, Roe could join already pledged Korie Lucious to form a nice 1-2 at the top of MSU's '08 class - which assuming the MoJo transfer occurs - would also probably include one of: Draymond Green, Paul Williams or Ed Davis...

Izzo has to be pretty excited about the way the next few seasons should shape up: Great talent, great depth, potential Detroit Regional next season, and Final Four the year after...Any way we could simulate the '07 football season, cause I'm ready for the '07-'08 tip-off!

[monkeynuts]

Originally Posted by lionstigersand...

MoJo is evidently shopping around looking for teams, and a foxsports.com article stated that he was gone, but I'm not sure it's a done deal at this point - although I'd submit that it would probably be in both parties' best interest.

The truly interesting recent occurrence revolves around the recruitment of Delvon Roe. Roe's been a two horse race for awhile now between UNC and MSU but was always seen as a strong UNC lean - until recently. Now most recruiting sources are saying that after a late swing, MSU is the selection he'll make next Tuesday at a press conference. A consensus top 10 talent for '08, Roe could join already pledged Korie Lucious to form a nice 1-2 at the top of MSU's '08 class - which assuming the MoJo transfer occurs - would also probably include one of: Draymond Green, Paul Williams or Ed Davis...

Izzo has to be pretty excited about the way the next few seasons should shape up: Great talent, great depth, potential Detroit Regional next season, and Final Four the year after...Any way we could simulate the '07 football season, cause I'm ready for the '07-'08 tip-off!

Wow, landing Roe would be fantastic. The talent coming into the program in the next few years has the potential to really put us in great shape for many years to come.

My one concern is that it seems like most of our recruits are guards (Roe isn't). Should I be concerned about this at all? I guess we do have Suton and Ibok for two more seasons, and Herzog and Thornton for four years, but none of them are really studs. We have a bunch of great guards, but no top-end front court players (I forgot about Marquise). I'm probably overly concerned...

[SpartanValor]

I thought Herzog was a stud?

Anyway, yeah I read that about Roe today, that was pretty exciting. Supposedly he notified Williams and Izzo of his decision last night? Or was I reading that incorrectly?

[lionstigersand...]

Originally Posted by monkeynuts

Wow, landing Roe would be fantastic. The talent coming into the program in the next few years has the potential to really put us in great shape for many years to come.

My one concern is that it seems like most of our recruits are guards (Roe isn't). Should I be concerned about this at all? I guess we do have Suton and Ibok for two more seasons, and Herzog and Thornton for four years, but none of them are really studs. We have a bunch of great guards, but no top-end front court players (I forgot about Marquise). I'm probably overly concerned...

There was a lot of positive commentary coming out of the MSU camp about Herzog this past season - including talk at one point (when Suton and Gray were really struggling) of burning his red-shirt. Offensively, Boylen seemed to think he should have Paul Davis-like impact at MSU, but with a bigger defensive contribution. They think he'll be an elite shot-blocker as well.

[monkeynuts]

Originally Posted by SpartanValor

I thought Herzog was a stud?

Anyway, yeah I read that about Roe today, that was pretty exciting. Supposedly he notified Williams and Izzo of his decision last night? Or was I reading that incorrectly?

Where did you find that story about Roe? I'd love to read it.

[monkeynuts]

Originally Posted by lionstigersand...

There was a lot of positive commentary coming out of the MSU camp about Herzog this past season - including talk at one point (when Suton and Gray were really struggling) of burning his red-shirt. Offensively, Boylen seemed to think he should have Paul Davis-like impact at MSU, but with a bigger defensive contribution. They think he'll be an elite shot-blocker as well.

Oh, good. I kind of figured that Herzog's max was the Suton level, but he'd be more of a Naymick type. It looks like he has some potential to actually be a pretty good player.

[SpartanValor]

Originally Posted by monkeynuts

Where did you find that story about Roe? I'd love to read it.

Lansing State Journal, I believe. I don't think it was in the State News...

[monkeynuts]

Ughhh...I'm anxiously awaiting Tuesday's announcement at 2:30 from Roe. He was in Highland Park this weekend and apparently many signs pointed to him going to MSU. Let's just hope that those signs prove true!

[Bubba]

I read on Spartan Mag that Allen, Lucas and Summers have been in contact with Roe about winning multiple championships and how they are all friends. I am not sure what is going to happen... I would love to have him... he almost had 50 points in the game this weekend against team michigan.

[SpartanValor]

I'm very jeolous that I won't be here the next four years. But I will definitely try to catch them when they come to Evanston or Madison...

[Migwel]

Originally Posted by monkeynuts

Duke actually destroyed us at Breslin two or three years ago. It wasn't pretty.

lionstigersand...yeah, I'm really excited to see our style of play next year. Those guys coming in next year are supposed to be terrific athletes...it would be a blast if the team had the same type of athleticism that the MoPete/JRich team had. I've seen some clips on YouTube of the incoming fresh (can't find the link now) and should definitely bring some explosiveness to this offense.

yeah but we had the three headed Garvaglia of Hill, Torbert, and Anderson (two of whick had no heart)......

[lionstigersand...]

Originally Posted by Migwel

yeah but we had the three headed Garvaglia of Hill, Torbert, and Anderson (two of whick had no heart)......

Give me a break...3 quality young men...Never a bad word printed or uttered about any of them...Each staying 4 years and leaving MSU with a degree...An Elite 8 and a Final Four on their collective resumes...

Frankly I couldn't more pleased that each wore the Green and White over that stretch, and you do them and the University a collective disservice to state or imply anything other than that.

[monkeynuts]

Roe commits to MSU!!!
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/a...W0201/70417003

Man, we are STACKED for many years to come!

[SpartanValor]

WOW!

[lionstigersand...]

Izzo really has the recruiting train moving along full steam ahead right now. One obvious concern last season was the overall lack of back-court depth and athleticism - insert a top 5 class consisting of 3 top 30 guards: PG Kalin Lucas - an electric point guard in the Collison/Lawson mold; SG Chris Allen - silky smooth athlete with the long range jumper; and SG/SF Durrell Summers -the sick athlete with a solid skill set already in place; and of course top 50 7-footer Tom Herzog will enter the fold after adding about 25 pounds during his red-shirt year in the program...And then top it all off with Austin Thorton, another solid wing player with a decent all-around game, and perhaps the biggest coup of all, he's walking on! Now that depth is going to be just plain sick. The athletic ability were used to seeing on the wing is back in spades. Then for '08 MSU has another couple blue-chippers verballed in PG Korie Lucious from Milwaukee, WI; and of course the recent and previously-mentioned addition of consensus top 5 player, Devlon Roe - a 6'8" PF with a 7 foot wing-span. Assuming they do round out that class with either of Williams or Green...

MSU also happens to be on some of the big names for '09: Richard Howell, Dexter Strickland, Deshonte Riley, and Stephen Van Treese - including being an early leader for the first three according to most - long row to hoe though obviously.

That's tough to beat - although OSU might have done just that. Should be an interesting few years on the horizon.

In a more important note; who's the way-to-early preseason favorite for the B10 next year? With DJ White returning, I see an MSU/IU/OSU triumverate, with MSU a slight fave at this point - assuming Methusa...I mean Gred Oden's ship sails elsewhere.

[Edman85]

Ugh... looks like the Boilers' reign as the top class in the big ten has come to an end...

[lionstigersand...]

Originally Posted by Edman85

Ugh... looks like the Boilers' reign as the top class in the big ten has come to an end...

Did something happen to one of your '07 guys? If not, I'd still maintain that Purdue has a pretty good case that they're brining in the best freshman class for next season. Although if MSU gets to count Herzog for '07...

Incidentally, I saw tonight that Oden's a goner, and that Conley and Cook are leaving as well (but the latter two aren't going to sign agents).

[SpartanValor]

Yeah, it kinda made my day to see Oden, Conley, and Cook all declare. Very nice.

[lionstigersand...]

lean fall months...

Thanks Andy, and Andy... and others....

[monkeynuts]

^^^

That is great!

And, in the shadows of that, ESPN just ranked Michigan the most underachieving program in the last ten years (with FSU number two).

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2865999

[lionstigersand...]

Incidentally, Kalin Lucas' ankle turned out NOT broken (an injury he'd sustained in the Jordan Classic - a HS all-star game). He's expected to be out another week or two but will absolutely participate in the Lansing Summer Pro-league. Izzo's pumped.

[monkeynuts]

MoJo is definitely looking into Rhode Island. He is visiting this week and if I had to guess he'll go there.

[Tressel]

pray for mojo

[lionstigersand...]

MSU released it's non-conference schedule today, highlights include:

Participation in the CBE Classic (one of those 16 team tourneys where 4 major programs host a 4-team regional, with the eventual semis in KC, MO). Hosting Schools will be: MSU, Missouri, Maryland and UCLA.

Back-to-back road games against Bradley and BYU.

Neutral Court game against Texas (I think this one's at the Palace and part of a four year deal, where they both get a "neutral court" game and a home game).

Hosting NC St. in the ACC/B10 challenge.


For what it's worth, I'm a fan of the trend toward more of these non-conference tourneys. A nice way to promote the sport and the universities on a national stage, bring together quality non-conf. match-ups etc...A little disappointing that the game KU owes MSU didn't get done this season but assuming things pan out at the CBE - should be a decent slate.

[monkeynuts]

Izzo really loves to get his team tested early and often. Guaranteed games against Texas, NC State, Bradley, and BYU and possibly playing Missouri/Maryland/UCLA...this should be great.

I'm quite excited about this season and even moreso about 2008-09...that team should be ridiculous.

[lionstigersand...]

The conference schedules are now out as well. With the shift to an 18 game schedule, now teams will obviously miss out on home and homes with 2 conference teams each season (I'd rather see them eliminate PSU's basketball team from competing in the conference and move back to a complete home and away slate ).

This year, MSU gets Wisconsin once (at Madison) and Michigan once (at the Breslin). Frankly the latter (I'd actually submit both - Wisconsin and MSU has arguably been one of the better conference matchups over the last decade) is(are) an absolute tragedy. There's no legitimate reason why Big Ten Basketball can't mandate the same protected rivalries as BT Football does.

[lionstigersand...]

Did anyone from the board attend Michigan State's Midnight Madness last Friday night? I'd heard it was quite a scene. They played up the 300 angle with all the players entering Munn (the Breslin had Cirque de Soleil) at various entrances clad as Spartan warriors. Izzo was decked out in full armor, they brought new women's coach Suzy Merchant in on a palanquin, Izzo's wife on another. Sounded like a lot of fun. Izzo and co. have done a great job with that event in the past - the Harley, "rappelling" out of the rafters etc...

The freshmen have gotten some pretty positive reviews in the early going, especially Chris Allen - who looks like an offensive freak - great shot, very good athletic ability...Durrell Summers another ++ wing athlete (who gets the occasional Richardson comparison)...Kalin Lucas is a point guard that Izzo just raves about...

Awfully good talent, awfully awfully good depth. Virtually every game they play (including the preseason exhibitions [including GVSU]) will be televised on national TV or the BTN (which has like 15+ games this year). Should be a very exciting season. Deep Izzo teams tend to do big things. It's every bit as important as top tier talent level (we all watched a very talented MSU team two years ago, really muddle through that season) - this year Izzo has both.

Here's the schedule:


Date Opponent* Result Record
Nov. 13, 2007 CHICO ST1 7:00 pm ET*
Nov. 24, 2007 Oakland 4:00 pm ET
Nov. 28, 2007 NC State 7:00 pm ET
Dec. 1, 2007 Jacksonville 2:00 pm ET
Dec. 4, 2007 at Bradley 9:05 pm ET
Dec. 8, 2007 at BYU (Salt Lake City) 4:00 pm ET
Dec. 15, 2007 IPFW 7:00 pm ET
Dec. 19, 2007 San Jose St. 8:00 pm ET
Dec. 22, 2007 Texas (at the Palace) 6:30 pm ET
Dec. 29, 2007 Wisconsin-GB 7:00 pm ET
Jan. 5, 2008 Minnesota 7:00 pm ET
Jan. 8, 2008 Purdue 9:00 pm ET
Jan. 12, 2008 at Iowa 8:35 pm ET
Jan. 15, 2008 Ohio State 7:00 pm ET
Jan. 20, 2008 at Minnesota 4:00 pm ET
Jan. 24, 2008 at Northwestern 9:00 pm ET
Jan. 27, 2008 Michigan 12:00 pm ET
Jan. 30, 2008 Illinois 9:00 pm ET
Feb. 2, 2008 at Penn State 8:00 pm ET
Feb. 9, 2008 Northwestern 7:00 pm ET
Feb. 12, 2008 at Purdue 7:00 pm ET
Feb. 16, 2008 at Indiana 9:00 pm ET
Feb. 20, 2008 Penn State 7:00 pm ET
Feb. 23, 2008 Iowa TBA
Feb. 28, 2008 at Wisconsin 9:00 pm ET
Mar. 2, 2008 Indiana TBA
Mar. 4, 2008 at Illinois TBA
Mar. 9, 2008 at Ohio State TBA


* - Game one of the CBE Classic, 16 teams hosted at 4 subregionals. Hosting schools are Missouri, Maryland, Michigan State and UCLA. If it played out as expected, MSU would meet Missouri in Kansas City with Maryland meeting UCLA in the other semi. The winners of those two games would meet the following night.

[Buddha]

This may be the first time in a long time that Michigan has a tougher schedule than Michigan State.

Sparty should be tough this year. I don't know who else from the Big Ten will be any good. llinois will continue it's decline under Bruce Weber. What about Purdue? Indiana? The Luckeyes?

[SpartanValor]

The next few years are going to be quite amazing to watch this team, especially with the Final Four in Detroit in 2009. If Time Warner doesn't sign up with the BTN though, i'm gonna have to find a way to catch the games. Any suggestions, outside of buying the Dish? Luckily a bunch of those are on nat. tv.

And yeah, the schedule leaves some to be desired, moreso, IMO, in conference. Wisconsin just once? Michigan is typically a great game and a challenge in AA, so its like we're not even playing them this year. Who else is going to be a challenge? MSU (and by that I mean Drew Neitzel) almost beat OSU in Columbus, and they had the Thad 5, which has taken quite the hit. Honestly, it'll be fun to watch MSU be the favorite again after being the underdog last year. I'm going to do everything I can to snag tix for that game in Madison, that'll be a great game.