In the beginning there were doubts.
Critics pointed to a criminal record as a severe roadblock for him to succeed, with charges of shoplifting, battery and receiving stolen property.
Then there was the hurdle of trying to qualify academically to be eligible to play Division I college basketball, as he was 20 points below the score needed on the SAT.
Through it all, freshman center Zach Randolph has found an ability to learn from his mistakes - it’s that same mindset that has led to improved play on the court this season.
“Everybody has some kind of problems in their past,” said Randolph, who was cleared this fall to play after an appeal to the NCAA. “I’m just learning from mine, being a man and moving on with my life.”
MSU head coach Tom Izzo, who kept supporting Randolph during the recruiting process, said the 6-foot-9, 270-pound inside force has improved in all areas.
“On and off the court I have been very pleased with Zach,” Izzo said. “I want to know how he’s doing. That’s my job as a coach. He’s done a good job and he’s handled himself well.”
Freshman guard Marcus Taylor, who befriended Randolph in both their sophomore years in high school at the Nike All-American Basketball Camp, said he knew early that his teammate was a solid player and person.
“I never thought he was a bad person,” Taylor said. “I always knew of Zach’s ability and talents. I also knew he could improve and that he was willing to do it - that’s why I talked to him about coming to MSU with me during my junior year in high school.”
Izzo said Randolph’s defensive skills from the first day of practice to now are as far apart as Pluto is to Earth.
“He has come a long way since the beginning of the year,” Izzo said. “I think of all the games I have been involved with Zach, he has shown focus and a willingness to learn.
“There’s been a couple of times lately where he has told me that he wants to guard certain guys on the floor. That’s a big, big step in the right direction.”
Randolph credits MSU’s strict strength and conditioning program to his ability to defend some of the nation’s top post players.
“I’m in a lot better shape now and I’m learning how to move my feet a whole lot better,” Randolph said. “To improve on defense you just have to play hard all the time.”
Izzo said he has no regrets about having Randolph guard Indiana center Kirk Haston - who hit a game-winning three-pointer with three seconds remaining in Sunday’s stunning 59-58 loss at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.
“A lot of people asked me if I should have done anything different in that game,” Izzo said. “I’m glad I did just what I did. He wanted to guard the guy, he did a damn good job of it, and he made me have some faith in him. I like giving challenges to my players.”
Senior forward Andre Hutson said Randolph was a bright spot in the loss.
“I think he showed spurts against Indiana of having a winning attitude,” Hutson said. “He got some big rebounds at the end of the game and was really in tune with what he wanted to do. Guys really picking up their play is what this program is about.”
