Last season, the MSU men’s basketball team lacked enough healthy bodies for intense practices.
The Spartans had just eight scholarship athletes on the roster and various injuries - including redshirt junior forward Adam Wolfe’s season-ending injury - forcing walk-ons and others to play minutes they had not earned.
Head coach Tom Izzo said practices were played “safe.” This fall, the first three days of practices have been more to Izzo’s liking. The Spartans had two-a-days Saturday and Sunday and another practice Monday.
“We’ve had five very, very good practices,” he said at a Tuesday press conference. “It is a big difference this year to be dealing with depth. We’ve been a little more physical.”
The Spartans have added freshmen Paul Davis, Maurice Ager, Delco Rowley, Erazem Lorbek and junior college transfer point guard Rashi Johnson. The only losses were guards Marcus Taylor and Mat Ishbia.
Sophomore guard Chris Hill, MSU’s top returning scorer, said he’s noticed an increase in the intensity of practice from the coaches and the players compared to last year.
“These have been three of the hardest days that I’ve had since I’ve been here,” he said. “And guys have been getting after one another, which is something maybe we didn’t have as much of last year because of numbers.”
“You have to bring it every single day. And that’s a healthy thing because that makes you go that much harder and makes every practice that much more important.”
Izzo said he also is pleased by the way the freshmen have responded to the challenges in the tough practices. Ager said he’s not surprised by what he’s experienced thus far.
“You don’t want coach in your butt all the time, so you want to go hard every time and not make dumb mistakes,” Ager said.
“At the high school level, you can go half speed to get what you want. But in college you have to go full speed just to get your shot off.”
Special guest
ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas spoke to the team after its Monday practice. Hill said Bilas talked about approaching everything - including practice - this season as if it were the national championship game.
“I think that says a lot about the program,” Hill said. “For him to come see us, too, is great.
Tickets
There are a limited number of season tickets available for the men’s basketball games. For all 18 home games, the cost is $180. Contact the Athletic Ticket Office at (517)355-1610 or (800) GO-STATE for more information.
