Michigan State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Media Day Coverage
10/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Junior guard Alvin Ellis III
On Izzo being vocal about a National Championship...
I think we might say it more than he does. We say `Natty' at the end of every huddle and at the end of every practice. We talk about it every day to each other. We know that a Final Four is not enough. We were that close, but it still wasn't enough. It's almost like staying in the Sweet 16. We weren't satisfied.
On coming up short in the 2015 Final Four...
The experience was great. We had never been to the Final Four. It was like a once in a lifetime [opportunity]. Not a lot of people get that opportunity. It was a great experience, but we don't want to feel how we felt when we left Indy last year, losing by 20 points in the Final Four.
On what motivates him...
Seeing some of the alumni that are already in the NBA right now, my parents, my friends. Just seeing Coach prove it and trying to push us every day in the gym and off the court.
On Draymond Green's impact on the program...
He came back this summer a few times and we talked to him. We went to his charity event. It's always motivational. He talks to us every day, almost. He just tells us that to succeed, you have to win. We have to get everybody together, and everybody has to keep winning. That's how we're going to succeed.
On blocking out distractions...
Just staying on each other and knowing that our goal is to win a National Championship. We know what we need to do and what we have to do to win that National Championship. We just stay on each other a lot.
Redshirt freshman forward Kenny Goins
On recovering from injury...
It's a real touchy area on the groin because it's near the abdominal muscle. I haven't really been able to lift or anything, but I'm going through rehab and using the underwater treadmill, the new one in the football facilities. I kind of made my way onto the court three or three and a half weeks after surgery. I'm going on five [weeks] tomorrow. For about a week and a half now, every day, I've been adding a new drill. I started off with just jump shots, but then I moved into layups. From there, I went into more of a defensive slide. Still trying to work my way back to live contact, which should be coming, hopefully, soon. That will be the last thing I add before lifting.
On fitting into the rotation...
There is so much depth on the team, it's hard to say. I'm just hoping I can contribute in some way, be it to bring energy off the bench, rebound, defend or whatever it is. We're all trying to get to the same goals.
On decision to come to Michigan State...
I grew up a Michigan State fan. I've been coming to football and basketball games since I was real young, probably five or six. It's hard to pass up that opportunity. It's a dream come true, really.
On the 2015 Final Four...
There's something bitter about losing by 20 on national TV, while millions are watching. Can't knock the experience, we loved it. Every part of it - the run. We're definitely hungry to show that we can be better than what we were last year.
On Italy trip...
It was beautiful there. Playing against some of those guys -- we got to play against professionals on the Italian team. Just to play against those guys and see how good professionals overseas are, you really don't think about it, but they're still pros. It was definitely team bonding and a good experience to start the season off with. I think that will definitely help us in the long run.
Senior forward Matt Costello
On role on the team this year...
This year, it's been more of a leadership role just trying to lead DD [Deyonta Davis], Gavin [Schilling], Kenny [Goins] and helping Colby [Wollenman]. I'm taking more of an offensive threat role and continuing the defensive presence with rebounding and stuff like that. It's changing the game a little bit, but I've kind of enjoyed it.
On improvements in shot...
I've pretty much got the green light to shoot, if it's a good shot of course. I have the confidence to shoot it, as well.
On loosening up Deyonta Davis...
He is smiling more and talking more. It takes a little bit to get his trust, and that's the biggest thing. Once you have that -- he's a good kid. He works hard. He has a good heart. It's difficult for him to trust people sometimes, but, once people get that trust, it's easy.
On being 39 blocks away from the all-time blocking record at MSU...
I actually found out about it last week. Matt Larson came up and told me. It is something I think about, but I got all of my other blocks just from playing the game. I wasn't looking for -- trying to get an extra shot block here or an extra shot block there. I'm just trying to play the game and do whatever I can do to make sure that we win.
On rotations during preseason...
How we've kind of done it in this preseason, coach [Izzo] has been changing up the lineup in multiple different ways. Gavin [Schilling] and I have played together, DD [Deyonta Davis] and I have played together. Gavin and DD have played together. JB [Javon Bess] will play the four, or Colby [Wollenman] will play the four. They'll just flip it up however they can. I think it's really going to help us this year. Last year, Gavin would get in foul trouble, or I would get in foul trouble, and it would hurt the bigs. This year, we have a bunch of bigs that can get in. We can go super big, we can go super small. It's what we want to do.
Sophomore forward Marvin Clark Jr.
On physical rehab...
It's going great. At first, of course, I was a little down. This was supposed to be a breakout year. I made some big, big strides toward the end of last year and I had a lot of momentum moving into this year. It's unfortunate this happened, but at the same time, things happen for a reason. Being out, I've been watching it from a coach's perspective, not just a player's perspective. Seeing mistakes that are being made, or mistakes that I made last year, I can see why I was making them and how I can fix them. I feel like just being in the film room a little extra has helped me mentally and helped me become more of a student to the game.
On timeframe needed to get back to the court...
I have until Sunday and then I'm out of the boot. I actually don't have the boot on right now. I'm able to walk an hour or two today. I use that time to practice wearing regular shoes. Yesterday, I worked on just kind of squatting on one leg and keeping my balance to do a right hand layup. The process is going great. I'm hopefully, as our trainer is thinking, a few weeks out until I can practice.
On individual development throughout last season...
I started out very well and offense was going well for me, but I really hadn't picked up everything as far as the defensive end. I would say toward the Purdue - senior night, the Purdue game when BJ [Branden Dawson] got hurt, I had to come in and play the rest of the game. That's when I knew the system. I knew where I was supposed to be, what I was supposed to do and I was able to impact the game on the offensive end. That game was when I realized, `Hey, I can play here. I can play at a high level here.' That's the game that really jumpstarted the end of the year for me.
Freshman guard Kyle Ahrens
On what his new experience at MSU has been like...
It's been a blessing to be here. All these guys have really accepted all of us freshmen. We're just working hard together. We all have the same goals, and that's to win a National Championship. All the countless hours that we're putting in together, we're all doing everything together. It's an amazing time to be here.
On what makes this team stand out...
All of us are getting each other into the gym together. We have all the guards going in together. We build that chemistry up.
On chemistry of the team...
Especially going over to Europe, that's when we started to build our team chemistry up. When we were in Europe we didn't win many games, but that bond, we grew closer and played really well. Ever since then, we've grown closer. The bond won't be broken, and we're going to continue to grow together.
On who he is...
I'm just a small town kid from Versaillles, Ohio, who loves to play basketball and who's chasing his dreams.
On the attraction of coming to MSU...
I know that 10 years down the road when I have a family or something, I know that coach Izzo is going to be building me into the man I want to be more than any other program. Coming here I knew I'd be successful at whatever I do, whether it's playing professional basketball or coming off and just starting the work force.
Junior forward Gavin Schilling
On goals for this season...
It was just to be a more effective player than I was last year. To play a bigger role and have a bigger impact on this team because in order for us to be successful, Matt [Costello] and I need to play well. Just being an impact player this year and contributing.
On what his relationship is with Matt Costello...
We definitely get along off the court. On the court, sometimes not as much [*laughing]. He's a good guy. We both help each other. We both watch film together. This is my third year playing with him. I know a lot about him, and he knows a lot about me. He's kind of a goofy, corny guy, especially when it comes to his jokes. It's always good having that around in the locker room. I don't mind it at all because he's a great kid.
On what he wants to improve on this season...
I want to work on my scoring inside. Hands were one thing that coach Izzo has been harping on me about. I think that I can do a lot of things to get my hands better, but I don't think they're that bad to the point they need a tremendous amount of work. Sometimes when I catch the ball, I just fumble it. It's nothing that bad where it affects my game. I feel pretty comfortable right now and things are going pretty well.
On locking down the starting position...
It would be a pretty good thing. I'm not really too focused on whether I'm starting or not this season. I'm just going to keep doing my thing, playing my game and see where it takes me.
On staying out of foul trouble...
Most of my fouls last season were `ticky-tac' fouls, and were pretty much kind of dumb fouls, to be honest. That was one thing I worked on this summer was trying to move my feet and move my lower body, rather than using my upper body while playing defense. I think I'm doing a much better job of that and improving in that area. In practice, we have the reps coming right now. We've been scrimmaging, and I've been doing a good job staying out of foul trouble.
Sophomore guard Javon Bess
On his goals for the season...
I really just feel that we want to go undefeated at home and win a National Championship. I feel like, personally, I need to be able to contribute to the team -- to be able to defend well enough, to knock down open shots -- so that we can achieve that goal. I feel like everybody's personal goals help us achieve the team goal.
On what type of leader Tum Tum Nairn Jr. is...
He's a great leader. I've never seen anybody like him before. I told him the other day that I don't know how he does it. It's just something that's out of him, that he has something not everybody has. I'm really close with Tum, and he's like that at home. He's my roommate, and he's the same way.
On DD [Deyonta Davis]...
DD's opening up a little bit more, too. When he first got here, he wouldn't say a word. Now, we got him cracking jokes in the locker room and laughing. I think it's just taken him some time for him to get comfortable with people, and then he opened up a lot.
On why the team breaks the huddle with saying `Natty'...
We want to win a National Championship. We got to the Final Four last year, and everybody saw what it took to get there. We want to take it to the next step.
On his injury last season...
It was very tough being able to compete for that starting spot and then going down a week before our first exhibition game with an injury. It wasn't a season ending injury, but it felt like a season ending injury because I only played in 12 games. It was really tough going through that. It's my motivation for this year.
On his work ethic...
I want it real bad. We want to get to the next level. With me not being as athletic or talented or skilled, I have to work hard. I have to work harder than my competition to get to the next level.
On who he looks to as a model...
Denzel [Valentine], Draymond Green -- those are guys that I definitely look at and try to get stuff from. I might not be as athletic as someone I'm going up against, but I can be smarter than them. I can use my IQ while I'm playing to help me in areas where I'm not as good.
On how his foot has healed...
My foot is feeling great. I took a lot of time off when I had the second surgery and rehabbed it a lot. It's feeling good.
Senior guard Bryn Forbes
On what `the next level' means to Spartan basketball players...
Maybe if we looked at it in the grand scheme of things this season, it would probably mean a National Championship. Making it to the Final Four last year was nice. It was cool, but we have bigger goals in mind.
On putting work in this summer...
Any time I'm in here, I see other guys in the gym. If I come in at 8 o'clock or even 10 at night, I see someone else in here shooting, too.
On transferring motivation of being eliminated from the Final Four to younger members of the team...
Absolutely. Coach Izzo still talks about it to this day; never losing in the Final Four again by 20 points. That wasn't a fun experience.
On expectations for himself...
I have high expectations for myself and this team. I want to have the best year, yet, as a senior. I want this team to go places that we haven't been in a long time.
On sense of ownership of being a senior...
You feel some type of leadership as a senior. Being through college basketball, no matter where you were, there comes some type of leadership in that role because you've been through some stuff that the freshmen and other guys haven't seen.
On the value of relating to other team members with his own experiences...
Just give them my experiences-- the things I've seen, the things I've been through. I've been in a lot of the same situations as them, and when they come to me with a problem, I just try to think back to what I did right and what I've done wrong.
On what he took out of the last game of the 2014-15 season...
I took motivation. That hurt to lose by 20 points in that game. We thought about it all summer, and we're coming back for more-- more than just a Final Four this time.
On working hard over the summer on his strength...
Man, it was four or five days in the weight room. Plus basketball workouts every day, and I had a full load in the summer. I think it's going to pay off.
On the team's depth...
We have some of the most competitive practices that I've ever been a part of. There are guys, like the new guys-- Matt McQuaid, DD [Deyonta Davis], Eron Harris and Kyle Ahrens-- we've got so many pieces now that it's like every day is going to be better.
Senior guard Denzel Valentine
On leadership as a senior...
It's a little bit easier just because you've been through it all. I've been to a Final Four, played in all the big games we've played in; I have more experience now. I don't really know what it takes to win a National Championship, but I kind of know what it takes to make it to a Final Four, so just having more experience and being more prepared.
On expectations this season...
Last year, everyone counted us out of the NCAA Tournament, but then we turned it around and made it to a Final Four. With that, we just have to have the same mindset that we had toward the end of the year. Staying together, keep working hard and having faith. If we do that and stay consistent, I think we'll make a name for us.
On energy on this team...
I think the Final Four brought new life. We've kind of changed the culture a little bit. We've got all great guys, we did it the right way and gave new life to Michigan State with making it to that Final Four last year. With this years' team and everything going on right now, it brought new life to Michigan State.
On the legacy here...
It's huge. When I was younger, that's all I used to dream about. Building a legacy at Michigan State, being one of the greats and playing here in front of the Izzone and all of that. I work hard and have great people around me, so I might as well just leave a legacy because that was one of my goals. To go ahead and do that, and to leave a legacy is huge for me.
On looking back to the Elite Eight win in Syracuse...
It was a huge moment. Sometimes we watch the highlights from the Final Four video, and that's always played; me going up to Drew [Valentine] and my dad. That's a huge part and it's a great feeling. I wouldn't change that for the world, so, to get back there is the most important thing, probably, in my life right now - and to get further. That's what we're going to do, and like you said, I want to leave a legacy here.
Redshirt senior forward Colby Wollenman
On medical school...
I've got three more college visits scheduled right now. I've got Washington St. Louis, UCLA and Vanderbilt and then waiting to hear back on Stanford still. I've wanted to go to med school since my junior or senior year of high school, so all throughout college I've known. I don't have a specialty, that's the nice thing about medical school is that you can figure it out as you go. At this point, I feel like I don't know enough to choose. It's been a lot of fun. I've gone to some cool places. I don't know how I'm going to decide where I want to go to medical school.
On balancing academics and basketball...
It's definitely tough at times. You know, the hardest part is you get home from practice and you're dead tired and that's when you have to get yourself to do homework. So it's definitely hard. You have to prioritize, it takes a lot of dedication, but it's doable. The academics come easy to me so that's helped a lot.
On his presence last year...
A couple years back, I wouldn't have expected the role that I played last year. I thought it was possible, I just really didn't know. For the most part I was happy, I was really happy to contribute on a relatively consistent basis. I didn't do a super glamorous job, but I was happy to be out there playing and it was nice knowing that what I was doing on the court was contributing to the team's success. We had some ups and downs, with an emphasis on the downs, but to be able to pull it together in the tournament was incredible. It made for a great season.
Freshman guard Matt McQuaid
On being from Texas and never seeing a winter before...
Everyone is telling me to buy a coat. Everywhere I go, when they hear I'm from Texas they ask if I'm ready for the winter.
On Matt Costello...
Me and Matt [Costello] have gotten really close. He's actually taken me home to see my grandma one time. So I knew we were pretty close then. There are three Matt's on the team and we call ourselves `The Three Matt's' so we really stick together.
On his goals for the season...
My goals are to help the team win. We want to win a National Championship, and that's our goal.
On his game this season...
Right now I'm shooting the ball alright and I'm playing the point pretty well, but I still need to work even more on shooting, running the point, not turning the ball over and getting used to the game.
On what it feels like to be here as a freshman...
I'm just taking everything in as they tell me. The upperclassmen, they're really helping me out. Denzel [Valentine], Tum Tum [Nairn Jr.], Matt Costello, they really have taken me in and are giving advice to me constantly at practice. They've made the transition a lot easier and have helped me out a lot.
On being number 20...
My dad's number in high school was 20 so that's kind of the connection. I grew up in the gym a lot, as my dad was a high school coach and does skills training. I would be in the gym for about four or five hours on Sundays, and after school we would go work out.
Freshman guard Conner George
On being a Spartan...
It feels good. It feels right. I couldn't imagine going anywhere else. I'm happy to be here and to be involved in such a special program at Michigan State. It's awesome. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
On coming here and playing for Izzo...
Just the fact that I've grown up around here for so long and I know that coming here I am going to reach my full potential. I want to compete with the best and really that was the selling factor. I want to reach a goal at a national level such as a Final Four or National Championship. That would be special. It's something I want to do and be a part of.
On what it is like to finally be in the big time...
It's challenging and it's going to be a challenge from here on out. These guys are the best. These guys are at such a high level. It's going to take time and patience, a lot of work ethic, and I need to get stronger, develop skills and hopefully I can contribute maybe on the court.
Sophomore guard Lourawls `Tum Tum' Nairn Jr.
On basketball season being back...
I have the same hunger as last year because getting to the Final Four wasn't enough. It wasn't. And that's what we want to do. We want to win a National Championship, so it's the same goal and the same drive. We know what it takes, and coach Izzo knows what it takes to get there so we're just going to do whatever he tells us to do to get there.
On having to be kicked out of the gym by Izzo...
It's me. That's my job. I want to win a National Championship. I know what it means to my teammates and coaches to win a National Championship. For me, I wanted to be in the gym a lot because that is my main goal. It's my main focus.
On his drive this season...
I mean, I know what I had to work on in the offseason because last year during the season teams played me a specific way, and I don't want it to be like that next year. It's not going to be like that this year because I am more confident, and the hours I put in, I just know how bad we all want a National Championship. I know what it takes to get there. We have to continue to get better and that's what we want to do. We want to win.
On realizing what he needed to work on...
It wasn't even the fact that I was a bad shooter, it was that I didn't have the confidence in it so this summer I worked extra hard, probably harder than I've ever worked in my life, on my shot. Now my coaches have the confidence in me and my teammates have the confidence in me because they know the work I've put in.
On his leadership...
My leadership comes from being the smallest on the court. I just want to be heard and want my presence felt when I am out on the court. I think I have to play that way being this size. I think I have to lead by example, and that's what I want to do for this team.
On losing in the Final Four last year...
Leaving the floor in Indianapolis was one of the hardest moments of my life because we wanted to get to Indy so bad last year, but we got there and couldn't get the job done. Coach says the motto is to take it to another level. We are going to continue to work as hard as we can.
Freshman forward Deyonta Davis
On running out of the tunnel for the first time...
I'll be very nervous, but I'll be excited.
On being a quiet, serious guy...
I'm just being me.
On what his scouting report would be...
Well, what I do well is I run up and down the court, block shots and rebound.
On how Matt (Costello) has helped him...
When I first got here he helped me with my offensive game.
On cutting his hair...
It was something me and my parents talked about, and we just decided. I just told them I was ready to cut it so I cut it.
On the toughest thing to pick up at this level...
The new plays and how to work on them.
On being more vocal on the court...
Yes. When I'm in the back I see more and I let my teammates know what's going on.
On his weight...
I've actually lost some since I've been here. I was 240 and now I'm 235.
Redshirt junior guard Eron Harris
On sitting out a season...
It didn't make me miss basketball. It's crazy how far I have come to this point. I have waited a long time. I never thought that it would be over, but the time is here now. I can't believe how close we are now. I am definitely excited to be a part of something new. I am definitely excited to be a part of something big, bigger than anything I have ever been a part of. So, I am looking forward to this season.
On his role this season...
I am definitely an attacker, but I can attack from the outside or attack from the inside. I am definitely going to be a defensive player. I have to defend. It is going to be one of my biggest roles to be a rebounder to be an athlete out on that floor. I am going to help us win. I also think that entertainment is part of the package too. It'll be a cool show to watch.
On whether it was hard to pick up a Tom Izzo defense...
It has been difficult, but at this point I think I am where I am supposed to be. I still have some ways to go, but it is a long season, and we develop over time. I just want to keep learning.
On his goals for the season...
I don't have too many individual goals, but I really want to become a consistent player. I want to become the best defensive player that I can, and then I think that everything else is going to fall into place. I just want to help my team win.
On breaking the huddle say `Natty' ...
We want to win the National Championship. We want to be the best team in the country.
On his excitement on playing a game that counts...
I am very excited. It has been some time now, a little over a year. I have stay patient; I have stayed composed. I have had some ups and downs, but it is time to perform now. This is probably the biggest thing I have done in my life. This is a peak in my life, and I still got some ways to go. I am very excited, but I am going to stay composed.
On getting feel of the program last year...
It was very big; you come into a new system you got to learn how the players act and how the coach reacts to things. You got to know how the coach runs things so you can do things smoothly. You can bring out your best potential, just like he wants to bring out your best potential. It is very important.
Redshirt junior forward Matt Van Dyk
On deciding to come to MSU as a walk-on...
The first thing that drew me to Michigan State was the agricultural program. It is one of the top in the nation. I still wanted to play basketball, though, so I started talking to the coaches. I came here and I met the team, and I just fell in love with the atmosphere around here. It's just like a family and everyone is just pushing each other. One of the greatest atmospheres I have ever been around. It really is just one big family with everyone pushing for each other.
On being a redshirt last season...
Last year, since I transferred from a community college, I was ineligible to play. So I had to redshirt. I got to practice and learn the new plays and learn everything.
On coming from a small high school...
I came from a small high school, and I didn't expect to be playing at Michigan State. Coming out of high school, I didn't really get many offers, just some small NAIA schools. I developed a little more skill and a little more athleticism. I really developed this past year working with the guys. I am ready for whatever Coach needs.
