Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Izzo, Henry and Hauser Meet with the Media
11/6/2020 3:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State men's basketball team met with the media twice over the course of the last 10 days, with Head Coach Tom Izzo holding a press conference on Oct. 29 and a pair of players, junior forward Aaron Henry (Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis) and redshirt junior forward Joey Hauser (Stevens Point, Wis./Stevens Point) speaking on Thursday, Nov. 5.
Izzo talked about the first two weeks of practice, as well as what a schedule for the 2020-21 season could look like.
"It's been a couple of weeks since I spoke to you all and I tell you, it's still been strange. I went to the football game this past weekend (Oct. 24, Rutgers) and tried to get an idea of what it's going to be like for us. I look at our practices and they've been pretty, pretty good. I think they've been pretty spirited and we've really been working on how we have to bring our own emotion and enthusiasm. Every day, I'm on our guys about picking it up and showing them videos of the NBA and how those millionaires were still cheering on the sideline. We''re going to have to have some of that.
"Practices have been pretty good. We had a couple of days where I didn't think guys were as into it and I think because of everything we're going through, there's going to be some ups and downs. But, in general, pretty good."
Henry, who was named a captain for this year's team, had declared for the 2020 NBA Draft but ultimately decided to return to school.
"I just wanted to maximize my opportunity here at State," Henry said. "I realize I had a solid, maybe decent, two years, but I have a lot more to give and a lot more to get out of myself for this team and for this University. Being back to play with these guys, they are family forever, and there was no wrong choice either way."
Hauser transferred to Michigan State from Marquette and sat out the 2019-20 season, practicing with the team and participating on the scout team.
"My anticipation is at an all-time high right now," Hauser said. "Just the whole situation that happened last year, not being able to play, sitting out, the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament. Then not knowing whether or not we're going to have a season and just kind of sticking to the grind all quarantine. We kept working out, not sure what's going to happen, but now that we're going to have a season and see where our hard work is really going to pay off, it's something that I've thought about for a year now."
Michigan State finished the 2019-20 season with a 22-9 overall record, including a 14-6 mark in the Big Ten, tied for first place. The Spartans won a share of the Big Ten Regular Season for the third-straight year before the postseason was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Izzo talked about the first two weeks of practice, as well as what a schedule for the 2020-21 season could look like.
"It's been a couple of weeks since I spoke to you all and I tell you, it's still been strange. I went to the football game this past weekend (Oct. 24, Rutgers) and tried to get an idea of what it's going to be like for us. I look at our practices and they've been pretty, pretty good. I think they've been pretty spirited and we've really been working on how we have to bring our own emotion and enthusiasm. Every day, I'm on our guys about picking it up and showing them videos of the NBA and how those millionaires were still cheering on the sideline. We''re going to have to have some of that.
"Practices have been pretty good. We had a couple of days where I didn't think guys were as into it and I think because of everything we're going through, there's going to be some ups and downs. But, in general, pretty good."
Henry, who was named a captain for this year's team, had declared for the 2020 NBA Draft but ultimately decided to return to school.
"I just wanted to maximize my opportunity here at State," Henry said. "I realize I had a solid, maybe decent, two years, but I have a lot more to give and a lot more to get out of myself for this team and for this University. Being back to play with these guys, they are family forever, and there was no wrong choice either way."
Hauser transferred to Michigan State from Marquette and sat out the 2019-20 season, practicing with the team and participating on the scout team.
"My anticipation is at an all-time high right now," Hauser said. "Just the whole situation that happened last year, not being able to play, sitting out, the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament. Then not knowing whether or not we're going to have a season and just kind of sticking to the grind all quarantine. We kept working out, not sure what's going to happen, but now that we're going to have a season and see where our hard work is really going to pay off, it's something that I've thought about for a year now."
Michigan State finished the 2019-20 season with a 22-9 overall record, including a 14-6 mark in the Big Ten, tied for first place. The Spartans won a share of the Big Ten Regular Season for the third-straight year before the postseason was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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