Michigan State University Athletics
First Day Of Practice
10/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Prior to Friday's practice, Coach Izzo met with members of local media to offer a few thoughts on the start of practice. Below is a partial transcript from his briefing.
On being prepared for the start of the season...
I am. I've been on the road a ton, more than normal. This actually brings some sanity back to the job - getting to start in the gym where probably 90 percent of the coaches enjoy being. I am excited. I think our guys had a great spring, summer and fall, but most years you do. At the same time, I think the lack of injuries we've had this spring, summer and fall, as we did last year, for the most part makes for a better season.
On having a healthy summer...
You know, last year wasn't bad. It was the three before that were the killers with (Travis) Trice and those guys, but it's been really good this summer. I think we have a little better leadership than we did last year. That's not a knock, it's just a fact, and I think we have the same chemistry, because I thought we had good chemistry last year. We have guys leading them here at 6:30 in the morning, leading them here at night, so that's been better.
On the improvement of players in the off-season...
I think (Branden) Dawson, (Travis) Trice and (Denzel) Valentine have all gotten better. Trice and Dawson are remarkably better and Trice may have gotten better than any of them. I just think he's healthier. He really was injured since the day he came if you look at all the different injuries he had where he never got a full-length time to do something, just seeing him have a great summer, great spring and great fall. I think that's one reason.
We've got a bunch of pieces. I'm not sure how all those pieces are going to be put together, but you've got what has really felt like in the last month, the guy who has improved the most since school has started has been Alvin Ellis. He's taken a big jump. We had some games last year where he was pretty good. Bryn Forbes shoots as good as anyone we had last year. We've got some pieces in there. If we can put those pieces together, we've got a chance to be good.
On preseason rankings...
I've seen anywhere from second to ninth (in the Big Ten). I understand all of it. I mean, I've seen us as high as ninth and as low as 30th. I understand all that too. We've got some unknowns to our team, but I think people forget that (Matt) Costello started...twenty games. I mean, we lost some close games when we had those three guys out, but we won some big games during that period and were playing really well. It's not like we're going with a guy who has never played. I think he and (Gavin) Schilling will be good in that post position.
On the speed of Lourawls 'Tum Tum' Nairn Jr....
You know, Keith (Appling) was awfully quick, but Tum might be the fastest. I'd say that's a fair statement and you know what, he's got a-ways to go, but he's been every bit as much fun to be around, his energy level and those things.
He shoots it better than I thought. When you look at him like a (Mateen) Cleaves or a Travis Walton, he's a lot better shooter. I wouldn't say that's his forte yet, but it doesn't need to be on this team.
On the younger players having role on this year's team...
You know, (Marvin) Clark can really shoot. He's got a great body and is picking up the game that's going to be on defense. (Javon) Bess is kind of more like a Raymar Morgan. He has a great feel for the game, great understanding. He is in love with the game. He and Tum are here too much. We brought them in two weeks ago and told them to chill. I think he's probably my surprise. He's stepped up a lot. He's got size. He can shoot it better than decent. He can handle it, get offensive rebounds and he can guard people. He has a very high basketball IQ. I mean, we've got 10-11 guys that can play. We have to figure out which nine are going to be playing more.
On the pace and focus of this part of the season...
I do like this time of year because I get to be home a little more than the past month. I get to coach basketball in the afternoon and watch football on the weekends...and baseball, as long as those Tigers keep winning. This is a great time of year for me. As you say, the games aren't here yet, so I can keep my eye on other things. Recruiting has gone pretty well and now it's time to get to work on your team. It's every favorite time of year.
On Travis Trice's improvements over the summer...
He's shooting it better, but he's running the team a little bit. He's got a lot of confidence. He really understands what's going on. He's taking his role as a captain as a big thing, which I've been looking for for years. He's playing really well. I don't know how to explain it. As we put more pressure on him and pick up steam, we'll see, but I like where we're headed. He's a guy that's been through the storm. He's had some injuries, but he's had some great nights. I think he has the best perspective of anybody on the team.
On knowing his team...
I think better, yes. I think when you get through the summer, just those two hours gives you a clue of where you're at. Now, starting a little earlier - it's not as early as last year, which I'm happy about - but we're going to go hard today, then give them tomorrow off. Then go Sunday and give them Monday off. Then go Tuesday and so we're going to spread it out a little bit to get our 30 days in the next 42. It's hard to believe 42 days and we play Navy.
