Sophomore forward makes waves in the paint against IU
For one day, Matt Trannon could say he felt like Ben Wallace.
And no, it wasn't just the afro sprouting over a sweat-covered headband he was sporting to celebrate ESPN's 25 years on television that made him feel that way.
The sophomore forward brought a jolt of electricity off the Spartan bench Saturday evening, playing a major role in MSU's 84-72 victory over Indiana.
His presence on the floor was so noticeable during the game that chants of "Big Ben" and "Fear the 'Fro" echoed throughout Breslin Center.
The atmosphere around him didn't change after the game either.
In the locker room, the barrage of microphones and video cameras surrounding him mirrored the huddle around sophomore center Paul Davis, who had just scored a career-high 32 points.
"He definitely gave us a lift," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said. "He got some rebounds and whenever you get points out of him, they are bonus points.
"We needed him, and he delivered."
Trannon delivered five points (2-for-2 shooting) and four rebounds in a career-high 11 minutes of action.
His defense wasn't to be ignored either.
He didn't record a block or a steal and, on many occasions, Davis had to direct him where to go and who to guard, but he provided another force down low to keep Indiana players out of the paint.
Indiana went with an uncharacteristically small lineup, having only one player taller than 6-foot-4 in its starting five (center George Leach at 6-11).
The rest of the Hoosiers' lineup was filled by guard Bracey Wright (6-3) and forward A.J. Moye and guards Marshall Strickland and Donald Perry (all 6-2).
Izzo said he wanted to keep some height in his own lineup, but wanted to add some speed as well.
Trannon's height, mixed with his agility and quickness, was the answer.
The 6-foot-6 Flint native has a strong upper body that provided a nice fit for double-team purposes, but he also could run the floor with speedy guards like Moye and Strickland.
"He's got really good feet, and we were getting hurt on those ball screens," Izzo said. "He did a great job of stepping up and letting our guys through. This team went very small, and he's a guy with quick feet that can cover smaller people."
Izzo said Trannon's playing time will fluctuate game-to-game, so those who fell in love with the football star turned basketball player shouldn't get too excited.
Redshirt freshman Delco Rowley played for the first time since a knee injury suffered on Dec. 16, and he is expected to jump back into the rotation.
Freshman Drew Naymick still is learning the system, but Izzo said the 6-foot-10 center will continue to see playing time.
Where does that leave Trannon? No one seems to know.
But what his teammates do know is that when he is on the court, they like the results.
"He's got the skills to be a great big man," said Davis, who has been looking for a partner down low since Erazem Lorbek left last season.
"He gave us great minutes. It was an unbelievable game for him, and he was a big key in this win."
With sweat dripping down the side of his face 30 minutes after the game had ended, Trannon still was shocked by his performance.
"I'm surprised in how helpful I've been," Trannon said.
"I'm just trying to give as much spark and energy as I can."
Before the game, Trannon figured that spark would be 100 percent on the defensive end.
But once Indiana left him open about 12 feet from the basket, he decided to reminisce about his basketball days at Flint Northern, where he was considered a top-20, blue-chip recruit.
Once the ball hit his hands, he immediately put the ball on the floor, turned and swished a 12-footer. About five minutes later, it was déjá vu.
"I didn't think I was going to be an offensive threat," Trannon said.
"I thought I was just going to be a defensive threat - get rebounds, set screens.
"It just seems they took advantage of me and got me the ball, and I took some shots.
"I wasn't going to keep (shooting), but they left me open again, and the second shot was more wide open than the first, so I took it."
Izzo said the jump shots and the rebounding can stay for sure, but his feelings on the afro were bittersweet.
"I didn't like the look, personally, but if it makes him play like Ben Wallace, that's fine with me," Izzo said.
"You want him to be able to have a feel for the big games."
For the Spartans, those big games will continue as the Spartans are back in the thick of the Big Ten race.
MSU currently is tied with Indiana for second in the conference.
Trannon said he doesn't want to take anyone's position away, just help the Spartans win the Big Ten Championship.
But junior guard Kelvin Torbert, a fellow Flint native, feels that, for the rest of the 2003-04 season, Trannon can be an X-factor for the Spartans.
"People don't know a lot about him, so hopefully he can do a lot for this team," Torbert said. "That's going to make us a lot better.
"Hopefully, we can get some signs that say, 'Fear the 'Fro.'"
