The wisdom of Izzo

When you live far away from Spartan country, there's an immediate bond when you get together with other MSU fans to eat, drink, and...sing the fight song!  When MSU came to play at the Barclay's center in Brooklyn, I was excited to be apart of the pre-game reception held at the Brooklyn Marriot. My friend and roommate, Paleyellow, joined me.  It turns out we were some of the only Brooklynites in attendance.  Either fans flew in for the tournament or they came from the far-away land of Manhattan (Manhattanites only come to Brooklyn if they have to).

The highlight of the evening, besides getting a picture with Sparty, was hearing from Tom Izzo.

Here are some spinnets of what our dear coach shared, in no particular order:

• The question was asked that when dealing with 17, 18, and 19 year olds in a city like NY, how much freedom does he give them to tour around.  Izzo essentially said, "When you're dealing with 17, 18, and 19 year olds, that leash is real tight.  They have 70 years after this to tour."
• In his sarcastic wit, he claims to have taught Payne how to jump and grab a rebound.
• Too much attention is given to freshmen who play for a year and then head to the pros.  Seniors who play all four years and graduate don't receive enough praise.  This comment came on the heals of discussing Payne and what a success story he is.  From a struggling student to an on-time -college graduate, stories like his are what we should be celebrating.
• Teens haven't changed, adults have.  Adults have changed how they respond to teens.  They have allowed them to be distracted by twitter, media, etc.
• One of our recruits for next year is from a 3rd world country and what stood out to Izzo about this kid, who I believe he referred to as "Tum Tum", is that he will "appreciate."
• Izzo wants to follow through: if he told a player to do something in a game and they go in and don't do it, he'll take them out.

Listening to Izzo reminded me of how much I respect him and the program he has built.  His goal is not only to win games and championships but also to help young boys turn into men. 

"Players Play – Tough Players Win." Tom Izz

So if you were to ever Wikipedia Tom Izzo (yah know because you were desperately trying to figure out a way to put a positive spin on a blog reflecting upon a game that could only be described as pitiful), you'd find this description of his typical teams provided in the third paragraph.

"Currently the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten Conference, Izzo, whose teams are often recognized for their rebounding prowess and defensive tenacity, has won four national coach of the year awards...."

Recognized for...

REBOUNDING PROWESS

DEFENSIVE TENACITY

Mmmmmhmmmmm

Want to see what I recognized this past Friday?

A team that looked like the just beat a #1 seed and let it go to their heads, turning their brains in to lazy mush. Yes, I say-mush (tweet that as Izzo says). I saw guys fall to the ground and lay there as their teammates slowly trotted back to defense, and boys who stood a head taller than Columbia, stand their with their feet firmly planted on the floorboards as they watched in amazement as their unranked opponents pulled down yet another rebound. Staring at them as if the idea to JUMP hadn't crossed their MUSH brain. I recognize also that it happens. Teams have an off game and sometimes we as fans must just let out a sigh of relief and be grateful for a win. "A win is a win" is the common phrase you hear murmured after such a game.

I've always hated that phrase.

For today's purpose, I'm rephrasing it to- a win is... an opportunity for learning.

And the Spartans must learn that toughness has to be brought to the court against EVERY team and by EVERY player. I trust they have.:)

"I take it personal because rebounding is effort-related, and we're not playing tough right now," said Adreian Payne, who led the Spartans by grabbing 11 boards against Columbia. "That's one of the staples of Michigan State basketball is being tough, and we've got to find a way to get it back."

Adreian Payne

Know what I like most about that quote? That it came from the mouth of the lead scorer and rebounder of the night. A true leader says "we" instead of "they" or even "I" and that's the level of leadership the team will need to find their way back. In fact, that voice may make even more of an impact than the hoarse midget voice of Tom Izzo.

The team is fortunate, though. They've got a whole group of tough men practicing on the same campus as they do. What better models of Spartan will and toughness than the Michigan State football defense!? I can only hope Izzo is able to take advantage. Get ready for some football mindset, players! You'll be lucky if Izzo lets you wear pads and/or helmets as he gets you ready to battle for the boards.

Michigan State's top-ranked defense has built its reputation on certain characteristics this season.Speed. Toughness. Physicality. Violence...................."I think they all look at me and see the physicality, and I think that wears off on a lot of our players," Allen said. "To be on this defense, you have to be tough. Simple as that."

That's the opening and ending line of an article highlighting Denicos Allen's toughness.

Now you want to read more, don't' you!?:) Denicos Allen Toughness

Want to know what else was learned?

The Izzone  DID show the prowess and tenacity that the team was lacking. Thank you sixth (wo)man! It made the difference when it mattered most.

Yes, this ex New Yorker giggled and ummm said a few unkind words to Columbia in response to their being duped by the Izzone not once, but TWICE! Who'd have thought the Ivy League school couldn't count backwards on their own!?

Izzone Article

All wins are not the same. Some come with a victory cry, others with a sigh of relief. We saw this last week. But both came with great lessons. With Kentucky we saw how experience, teamwork, and talent can combine for greatness. With Columbia, we recognized that even the greatest veteran teams can go....mush, appearing to lose their toughness. Yet, if a team can dig within itself enough to find the strength and perseverance to grind it out from behind for a win....I trust that they can bring back the necessary level of toughness to take down future Goliaths...even if those giants are only their own egos or the pressure of a  #1 ranking.

Need a boost? Watch clips from the MSU Kentucky game here

Favorite quotes from the past week:

“The Izzone was a lot aggressive than the players on the floor,” head coach Tom Izzo said. “I thought they did a hell of a job tonight … I almost got up and thanked them, but I didn’t want to embarrass anybody.”

"As a collective unit, we're going to make sure that everybody comes in ready to go because we know that if we continue this way, our season's not going to go the way that we want it to, and Coach is not going to be happy ," point guard Keith Appling said, sighing. "And when Coach is not happy, it's not a good environment around here."

Keith Appling Quote

So I think Randle – what I loved about him: he gritted his teeth, was ornery and nasty, and he wanted to put them on his shoulders. And for a freshman, that speaks volumes. Nobody else did that. He completely did that. You could hear him talking. You could see it in his face. You could see it in his body language. Tough kid. Like him. Love him.”

Izzo on Randle

“Yeah, we want to be No. 1 at the end of the season,” Keith Appling said, “not the beginning.”

 Be THIS tough!

Go Green!

In with the old. Out with the...young?

Kentucky.  I'm over Kentucky.  I'm over the State of Kentucky dominating the basketball arena.  So when it came to Tuesday's Champions Classic game between Michigan State and Kentucky, all I wanted to see a was a big W on the Spartan's schedule for November 12, 2013.

Between frantic bites of my burrito and calling out plays for the team (maybe this will be the year that Izzo finally tunes his radio to my signal), acid rose in my throat and I had to gasp for air.  No, I wasn't having a panic attic.  I wasn't sick.  The Michigan State Spartans were playing basketball!  Enough said and about time.

Heading into Tuesday's clash, much of the talk was on how Kentucky's young but stellar freshman class, which boasts some ridiculous number of McDonald's All American's and arguably the favored top NBA draft pick of 2014, Julius Randle, would handle Michigan State's talented and seasoned squad.  It was the classic old vs. new or the veteran vs. the rookie.  The energy and excitement felt like the end of March and my pulse acted that way too.

MSU played a very young Kentucky team that will be a monster to compete with given another month or so of play under their belt.  But the Spartan's experience, wisdom, and cohesion, proved to win the day on Tuesday.  Our guys have chemistry and its fun to watch.  The opening minutes of the game were almost jaw-dropping as the Wildcats couldn't get past the Spartan's stifling defense. It almost felt like we were playing Nebraska or...Columbia (don't worry, you can watch that matchup tomorrow at 9 pm).   Harris, Appling, and Dawson's quick hands created 11 turnovers in total for the game and proved just why the Spartans are a force to be reckoned with.

But we all knew that the game wouldn't be a runaway.  I mean, MSU was technically the underdog, after all.  So it was no surprise that the freshman jitters ran off and the Kentucky Wildcats started to find a groove.  With the refs calling the game tight, putting all of MSU's Bigs to the bench, the Spartan's had no answer for Julius Randle, who ended the evening with 27 points and 13 rebounds.  But what was so impressive and encouraging, is that MSU held their ground.  Even when Payne sat for several minutes in the second half due to foul trouble and we couldn't seem to pull down a rebound, MSU stayed poised.  Sure, we let Kentucky come back and tie the game.  And we could have let the momentum continue in their direction.  But, older and wiser teams know that if emotions get the best of you, you're in trouble.  So instead of responding to their depleted lead with silly fouls and poor shot choices, MSU held their ground and played smart.  Valentine's unusual-looking pass to an open Appling gave MSU a quick 3-point advantage and then extended that lead to five in a matter of a few seconds when Harris read the Kentucky offense and stole the ball for an easy two points.  And what was a hopeful, talented, freshmen-filled Wildcat team ten seconds earlier was now a young, dejected team that never quite regained their ground after that.

Those last few minutes of the game showed what MSU is made of.  We saw a somewhat under-the-radar Appling who led the team with 22 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals.  We saw Payne playing wisely with four fouls.  We saw Dawson and Harris make big plays right when we needed them to.  We saw an old Spartan team that left me wanting for more.

Most Wonderful Time Of The Year- WELCOME BACK!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year- and not just because the famous, widely read and highly expected The Sixth (Wo)man blog is back in business!

It's that beautiful, magical time when college football AND basketball overlap. I still drool thinking over how we had a week that included the start of basketball AND the MSU vs UofM football game (moment to smile as I think back to that joy filled game)...within 7 days of one another!!?? Pure, utter awesomeness.

“There is no cost for awesomeness” says Kung Fu Panda. Fortunately for my bank account, the cost for awesomeness at this time of year at the Breslin is about $3- cheap because it’s early in the season and not yet Big Ten play. But for me, I love it. It’s the time for hope, anticipation, mystery. The time to gaze upon the rewards of a summer of hard work, knowing that champions are shaped during the offseason. 

During the summer, players have had the opportunity to take their future into their own hands every day in the gym. To exhibit their determination while the cameras are turned off. Wounds heal. Skills sharpen and mature. The reality that your four (or less) years as a college basketball player shall someday come to an end motivates.  A team gets to just have FUN- not only as players, but as young men, friends. And a team rebuilds ready for battle.

As then as the fall leafs change color over the Red Cedar, and the first notes of the MSU Fight Song ring out through the Breslin, the spoils of the offseason war (not against a rivaling team but oneself) are revealed. The most wonderful time of the year. Well, until the game against Kentucky....and the Big Ten Opener...and March Madness....ok it’s the START of the most wonderful time of the year.

So let us gaze and wonder- upon the players, the team, and the possibilities of the season.

With the start of a new season, we look to each player for improvement. Last year the Spartans were plagued with lingering injuries, not that you could tell by watching the performances of Harris, Appling, Dawson, Trice...this list goes on. But with their “best injury free summer” (Izzo’s words), can we expect....dare I hope for...even MORE from these young men? 

Let’s be blunt, Izzo style, here for a minute. The notorious elephant in the room is difficult to hide, being that it stands in the Izzone flapping its wings. Yes, I’m talking about Russell Byrd and his ability to recover from what must have been a difficult year physically and....well I can only assume his confidence took a bit of a hit last year, no matter how amazing of a human being Izzo makes him out to be. 

“In two exhibition games, Byrd was 5-for-6 from 3-point range and scored 18 points. Against Indiana, he was 3-for-4 and something appeared that hadn’t been around in a long time — a smile on Byrd’s face.“I’m definitely more confident after shooting the ball so well those first two games,” Byrd said after practice on Wednesday. “That’s a plus, that’s for sure. I’ll be just as confident as I can be if I prepare and we prepare as a team. I’ll just go out and do my job.”

Detroit News

Need I say more?

No? 

Good, let’s let it rest for a while and allow the man “go out and do (his) job”.

Wondering about Dawson and Trice? Pull up the film of their (including Dawson’s back to back) dunks against McNeese on youtube. (Yes, you read that correct, Trice dunks.) It’ll answer any looming questions.

Wondering about the team?

“There is one common denominator, I said, everybody's improved. I don't say that every year, but I really believe this team, everybody has improved........I think we have a bunch of guys that understand that this is an opportunity of a lifetime.” 

And wondering about the season ahead?

“`I'd die to play with this team.' From Draymond Green, that was a statement of all statements.”

All above quotes Izzo's from msuspartans.com

So enjoy this most wonderful time of year for what it is. A time to gaze upon the results of a dedicated team’s hard work and wonder at how the results will reveal themselves to make for a season of champions.

Respect the work. Expect greatness.

Go Green!!

Lansingstatejournal

Next Game: As if you seriously don’t know- #2 MSU vs #1 Kentrucky. Tuesday, November 12th at 7:30 on ESPN

Read more about the offseason

Appling's Urgency to the Final Four

(Highly recommended article for any Quicken Loans fans)

Team Chemistry- Detroit News

(For any who believe that team chemistry can lead to greatness)