As a shooter, when your shot doesn’t fall, life can be tough. And senior forward Mike Chappell knows that feeling well.
When Chappell transferred to MSU after his sophomore year at Duke in 1998, Spartan fans and coaches thought he’d become the three-point specialist the team lacked, but that never materialized.
“It’s been a struggle for him. I can’t say that enough,” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said. “It just hasn’t worked like I hoped it would, but more importantly, like he hoped it would.”
In Chappell’s sophomore season at Duke, he started 21 of 36 games for the Blue Devils and averaged 7.1 points per game while shooting 43 percent from behind the three-point arch. It was easily his best season to date.
Since coming to MSU, Chappell has shot just 31 percent from behind the three-point arch, drawing frequent inquiries about what went wrong with his shot.
“That’s a good question,” Chappell said. “I don’t know what’s happened.”
Chappell’s technique looks the same and Izzo insists his work ethic and determination has never floundered.
“I feel for a kid like that because he has put in the time and effort,” Izzo said. “I don’t have a good reason for you, I really don’t. He does what you’re supposed to do - he comes in and he shoots more.”
Watching Chappell in practice, one could easily be duped into thinking he was a key offensive weapon for the Spartans. His three-pointers fall, he drives to the basket and throws down a dunk once in a while.
In fact, that side of Chappell’s game has showed up in spurts the last few games. However, if you looked at the box scores, he’s only averaging 5.5 points per game. But it’s his non-charted stats that show his progress.
“I’m kind of enjoying success doing other things,” Chappell said. “I feel like I’ve improved in other areas. You know - defending, rebounding and handling the ball.”
Chappell said he still looks for the three-pointer, but doesn’t see it as his only opportunity anymore. He said last season’s struggles from behind the three-point arch made life difficult.
“I put so much emphasis on it,” he said. “I let it define my whole game. If I didn’t make my shots it kind of took away from everything else I did on the court.
“Now as long as I can get out there and contribute in other ways to help my team it’s fine. I’ll be aggressive and keep looking for the three but I’m not going to get down if I’m not hitting it.”
Senior guard Charlie Bell said Chappell’s newfound aggressive approach is refreshing. He said Chappell has the skill and athletic ability, at 6-foot-9, to take over a game.
“Right now, he’s starting to realize he can do other things,” he said. “He’s been going to the hole and penetrating, making things for others and dunking left handed at Northwestern.
“That surprised us. We see it at practice but we don’t ever see it at the games.”
Chappell said he never thinks about what he’s going to do before a game, calling basketball a game of instinct. However, he said it’s better late than never.
Despite Chappell’s struggles, Izzo refuses to give up on him.
“I think I have been loyal to him and I think he knows it and I think he appreciates it,” he said. “I do believe in the kid. It just hasn’t worked out so far, but maybe he’s saving his best for last.”
Izzo said Chappell has helped his cause by becoming a better all-around player. He said his defense, ball handling and drive to the basket has greatly improved.
“If he was a complete liability in the other things it’d be different,” he said. “But he does help us in other ways. I just hope for his sake and mine, his shots start falling.”
