Al Goldis / AP |
There’s plenty to like about Michigan State this season. The mix of depth, experience and talent at every position makes the Spartans one of the elite teams for 2010-11.
The only worry? Nagging injuries and health issues.
Well, maybe those worries should be put to bed. Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal watched an “eye-opening” practice this week where he was not only wowed by the overall talent, but by how fresh everyone appeared. From his blog:
What I saw, in brief: Kalin Lucas and Korie Lucious looking more like themselves than I expected; Derrick Nix and Draymond Green with much less of themselves (and in Nix’s case, much more quickness and stamina; Green practiced Wednesday for the first time after spraining his ankle at Midnight Madness, and he isn’t 100 percent yet); Delvon Roe doing things like grabbing a rebound, racing the ball downcourt and finishing like a big guard (more on that later); Adreian Payne showing why Tom Izzo put him on the short list of most athletic players he’s recruited, and this is a 6-10 guy with a 7-2 guy’s wing span and a jumper (but give him time, he’s still a skinny freshman); a team that can go big in waves with an improved Garrick Sherman and a physically strong Alex Gauna in the mix; a team that can go small and really fast, and should get some help from Mike Kebler and Austin Thornton (who seems to be OK after a scary back injury); more quickness and explosion than I realized Keith Appling had.
Oh, and Durrell Summers. He’s pretty good. So sign me up for the outrageous expectations bandwagon.
Can’t wait to see what happens when MSU faces off against Duke on Dec. 1.
Mike Miller’s also on Twitter @BeyndArcMMiller, usually talkin’ hoops. Click here for more.