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- Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 8:46am #32143
JNixonParticipant23: Michigan State Spartans
Frontcourt- This group returns everyone of note. The best player in their frontcourt is PF Draymond Green. The 6’5 255 Green looks more like an Eating contest champion than a basketball player, but he’s good. He is an outstanding passer and rebounder (4.1 apg/2.3 topg; 8.6 rpg) from the PF spot, a Coach Izzo favorite, and he’s a solid mid-range shooter with the raw range to the college 3. Green is extremely smart on the floor and he has pretty good feet for his size. Still, he’s very short for a PF though and not an athlete which makes his translation from college player to college prospect a little murky. He has trouble scoring and defending in pure man-to-man situations against guys with size as you’d expect, even though his wide frame can help him in some instances. Beside him at the starting PF/C spot will be a fight between Sr. Delvon Roe and Soph. Adreian Payne, both highly regarded HS prospects. The 6’7 Roe had a serious knee surgery in HS that has zapped his quickness and athleticism he’d need as the mismatch PF he was recruited to be. He has gotten a lot stronger though to attempt to make up for it and now looks like a true PF at this level (235 lbs). Roe is a pretty good rebounder and pure man-to-man defender who plays very hard and tough, often giving up inches on his man down low yet still being competitive. His post game and face-up game aren’t great though other than basic open 12-15 footers and jump hooks around the rim. 6’10 235 Payne is a lots of length. He has the frame to add weight and the potential to be a good player at Michigan State in time. Right now, he’s too raw to really be considered a game-changer, but he looks like a shot-blocking presence. He needs to find a skill and hang his hat on it (likely a face-up game though, to make him a triple threat with his athleticism), but the upside is there for him to be a good player. Look out for Fr. Branden Dawson, a 6’7 225 combo forward. Dawson, a Mickey D’s guy, is physically ready to play in the Big 10, and he’s tough and willing to compete. He rebounds well and uses his strength on offense. He needs to refine his perimeter game though, from handle to jump shot. Look for about 5 ppg and 3 rpg from him next year. They also have Jr. Derrick Nix, a wide body (6’8 280) who basically isn’t good but provides a guy who can bang with the physical bigs in the Big 10. He started as a Fr. a bit, but don’t expect him to score, block shots, or stay in games for more than extremely limited time though. Garrick Sherman is a big man (6’10 245) who rebounds and is a basic finisher at the rim. This is a typical Izzo hard-working frontline, with guys who provide interesting tools and they have a solid depth. Green, Payne and Roe figure to improve and need to get more spikes in production to make help the guards. They have a lot of experience.
Backcourt- They lose Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers. Lucas was a great as a MSU PG, but his Achilles injury lingered last year and took some of his quickness. He also became more fascinated with scoring and not being a true PG, which was an interesting turn from how he used to play (although he was always a bit of a scoring point). Summers was talented, but his IQ was low and he was too inconsistent. He stayed in Izzo’s doghouse. They have a young talent looking to replace them though, in Soph Keith Appling. Appling is a 6’2 combo guard who likes to score. He looked like a Fr. at times last year, but he’s pretty good. He has a nice jumper off the bounce or spotting up, and he’s got enough quickness to slash too. It will be interesting to see how he does playing PG though, as he will be the squads guard often. He spent this off-season working on his handle, which sometimes looked shaky last year, and getting a feel for creating for others, as he didn’t do that last year (1.3 apg/1.6 topg). He also needs to work on his D. I expect about 14 ppg and 3 apg from Appling next year. The depth will come from a mix of newcomers and returning bench guys. Fr. Brandan Kearney and Dwaun Anderson could contribute as wings, and Fr. Travis Trice will have to play immediately as a PG. Kearney is a thin 6’5 wing, who has the length and quickness to be a threat getting in the passing lanes, and also has the ability to hit his jumpers off screens, off the bounce and spotting up and slash the lane. He’s not known for his consistency, and he needs strength though. He’s an eerily similar player to Summers as a matter of fact (just when Izzo thought he got away from him). Anderson is a super athlete. He’s a southpaw who can slash and likes to play above the rim. He’s great in transition and is a willing defender. He needs to get more consistent with his shot though. Travis Trice is a 6’0 175 guard who is touted as a great shooter who needs more strength to defend better. Sr. Austin Thornton is pretty terrible, but at least he played last year because he tries hard. He must be a good shooter in practice, because he was used something like a designated shooter. But he failed at it last year. Miserably. MSU has underrated Fr. guards, and Appling is ready to take the next step as a scorer. These guards seem like the kind Izzo can work with. They don’t have egos and they are all young.
Overall- Last year was a bit of a disaster. They were expected to get to the title game by most, at least Final 4. Lucas and Summers clearly had the NBA on their minds, and they just didn’t have much chemistry on the team. Not to mention guys like Korie Lucious getting dismissed. This year there is less ego and also talent on the squad too. Appling will have to grow up, but he’s promising. Green, Roe, Nix, Fr. Dawson and a developing Payne give MSU a solid frontcourt. One of the more battle tested lines in the land. Tom Izzo is a top 3-5 coach, and I think this team is perfect for him, no slight to Summers and Lucas, who were good guys. Look for Michigan State to get to the 2nd round or Sweet 16.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 8:59am #578855
providencefriars1ParticipantMichigan St is probably the fourth place team in the Big 10 behind Ohiost, Wisconsin, and Michigan in my opinion. I agree with your analysis Jnixon.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 8:59am #578634
providencefriars1ParticipantMichigan St is probably the fourth place team in the Big 10 behind Ohiost, Wisconsin, and Michigan in my opinion. I agree with your analysis Jnixon.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 9:03am #578861
RUDEBOY_ParticipantThe Spartans were a major disappointment last season, alot of folks had them at either 1 or 2 preseason..
The talent is there to make a run this year,but who will become the mature emotional leader this team needs? It seems they all lack maturity..Payne has the talent to be a special player..Izzo must adjust his style of play to best fit this team…
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 9:03am #578640
RUDEBOY_ParticipantThe Spartans were a major disappointment last season, alot of folks had them at either 1 or 2 preseason..
The talent is there to make a run this year,but who will become the mature emotional leader this team needs? It seems they all lack maturity..Payne has the talent to be a special player..Izzo must adjust his style of play to best fit this team…
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 9:16am #578877
esperanzafleet69Participantmichigan state might not be great this year… but in a year or 2 with the development of appling and payne they could be a good team… losing luscious didnt help..
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 9:16am #578656
esperanzafleet69Participantmichigan state might not be great this year… but in a year or 2 with the development of appling and payne they could be a good team… losing luscious didnt help..
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 9:22am #578881
rileymcshea3ParticipantYeah Spartans!!
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 9:22am #578660
rileymcshea3ParticipantYeah Spartans!!
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 12:10pm #578992
NJHooper95ParticipantI think they will struggle again this year. Roe isnt the player they recruited, Dawson is unpolished in most skill areas, Lucas and Summers are gone. I like Payne, but I just dont see this team in the top 25 for long. Im sure they will start there but the Spartans need to up there recruiting, because Michigan is back in the race now.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 12:10pm #578772
NJHooper95ParticipantI think they will struggle again this year. Roe isnt the player they recruited, Dawson is unpolished in most skill areas, Lucas and Summers are gone. I like Payne, but I just dont see this team in the top 25 for long. Im sure they will start there but the Spartans need to up there recruiting, because Michigan is back in the race now.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 3:13pm #579086
Malik-UniversalParticipantas a big spartans fan… i was extremely dissapointed last yr with them… they had lots of talent and underachechived big time… summers took a big step back in production after a great 2010 tourney run without lucas
i expect them to reach the sweet 16 at best
and i WANT PAYNE TO DEVELOP SOME SKILLS
this guy has size and immense length
we didnt have very good center play last yr… i mean when roe who is 6’8” is playing center… its kinda alarming
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 3:13pm #578864
Malik-UniversalParticipantas a big spartans fan… i was extremely dissapointed last yr with them… they had lots of talent and underachechived big time… summers took a big step back in production after a great 2010 tourney run without lucas
i expect them to reach the sweet 16 at best
and i WANT PAYNE TO DEVELOP SOME SKILLS
this guy has size and immense length
we didnt have very good center play last yr… i mean when roe who is 6’8” is playing center… its kinda alarming
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 3:22pm #579096
llperezin watching the first round tournament game between ucla and michigan state, it really stood out that the spartans lacked inside play big time. Bruins were a big team vs almost anyone, but they especially had their way inside vs the spartans.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 3:22pm #578874
llperezin watching the first round tournament game between ucla and michigan state, it really stood out that the spartans lacked inside play big time. Bruins were a big team vs almost anyone, but they especially had their way inside vs the spartans.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 3:54pm #579130
gatorheelsParticipantNice write up.
No mention of Brandon Wood though. He is going to start at SG. Very Solid scorer.
Appling & Wood are going to have to carry the load for this team in the backcourt.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 3:54pm #578909
gatorheelsParticipantNice write up.
No mention of Brandon Wood though. He is going to start at SG. Very Solid scorer.
Appling & Wood are going to have to carry the load for this team in the backcourt.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:14pm #579158
JNixonParticipantWho’s Brandon Wood? Is he a newcomer or something?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:14pm #578937
JNixonParticipantWho’s Brandon Wood? Is he a newcomer or something?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:16pm #579161
providencefriars1ParticipantHe’s a transfer from Valpo who is a very good player
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:16pm #578941
providencefriars1ParticipantHe’s a transfer from Valpo who is a very good player
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:24pm #579171
JNixonParticipantAh ok. I haven’t heard about him, sorry about leaving him out. That definitely helps them, because they didn’t have a SG that was ready to play extended time in the Big 10 yet.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:24pm #578950
JNixonParticipantAh ok. I haven’t heard about him, sorry about leaving him out. That definitely helps them, because they didn’t have a SG that was ready to play extended time in the Big 10 yet.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:29pm #579179
McDunkinLets hope nobody on the team gets caught playing "2 on 1" in the dorms again
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:29pm #578958
McDunkinLets hope nobody on the team gets caught playing "2 on 1" in the dorms again
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:41pm #579189
JNixonParticipantSeason went downhill from there.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 4:41pm #578968
JNixonParticipantSeason went downhill from there.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 6:24pm #579353
McDunkinI mean im sorry to get off topic and i know its old news, but its just sad to me that one of he players admitted it hapened but nothing was ever done about it
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/26/2011 - 6:24pm #579131
McDunkinI mean im sorry to get off topic and i know its old news, but its just sad to me that one of he players admitted it hapened but nothing was ever done about it
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