It's no secret Paul Davis isn't having much fun on the basketball court this season.
Fans know it and head coach Tom Izzo is concerned.
Even the junior center admits his gloomy appearance is obvious on game films.
But he won't go as far to say his passion isn't there - he just needs to let loose.
To break away from a rocky start on offense, Davis said boosting his vigor will get him back to the top of his game. That means clenching his fist after key plays, banging chests with teammates and becoming more vocal.
"When I'm having fun, I'm energetic, I'm jumping up and down - you know, you feel better physically and mentally," Davis said. "This is something I'm going to work on and go from there."
Through six games, Davis is averaging 12.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Last year, he led the team in scoring with 15.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He also shot nearly 80-percent from the free throw line last season compared to 47-percent early this season.
Izzo said he's not going to give up on his John R. Wooden Award Preseason All-American yet. But with a solid core of seniors, he isn't putting the weight of the team on Davis' back either.
"I want him to play better because I know he can - I'm not ready to put all the pressure on him," Izzo said.
"But I am willing to say he's a really important cog to the wheel 'cause when he does play well we aren't losing much," he added.
Izzo wants to get Davis more touches, but needs him in the game.
Against the loss to then-unranked but now-No. 21 George Washington, Davis got into early foul trouble, taking him out of the game. He only logged 19 minutes while scoring seven points and four rebounds.
Davis' play has caused concern from Izzo, who has wondered why Davis looks tired on the court. But Davis admits once he shows more emotion, the guise of fatigue will disappear.
"If you're not having fun then you're gonna look tired," he said. "... I think I'm in the best shape of my life. I feel great. If I'm energetic, it's going to get me going and the team going, and we'll go from there."
Although Davis had a great summer, according to Izzo, the pressure has built up as many fans and friends think this is the year the Rochester native will leave for the NBA. Izzo said watching the 2004 NBA draft was especially painful for his young center, as only two collegiate seniors were selected in the lottery, and four overall in the first round.
"Just go out and play for the enjoyment for what a college guy should play for, and that's to be a college player, to enjoy the opportunity to go home and play in front of your fans and not sit there and say, 'Is this shot gonna mean the scout's watching,'" Izzo said. "That's a hard way to play."
Davis and Izzo have been meeting while Davis has spent a lot of time soul searching. In fact, the whole team took time early this past week to look in the mirror at themselves before looking forward to this weekend.
Now Izzo says his big guys, like Davis and sophomore forward Delco Rowley, need to step up against a big Stanford team at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday in the Spartan Clash at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Izzo said Stanford is a lot better than their record shows after losing games against Tennessee (2-3), No. 13 Louisville (4-1) and on the road against Santa Clara (6-2) - who knocked off No. 8 North Carolina (6-1) earlier this season.
Stanford is led by head coach Trent Johnson, who led Nevada past the Spartans in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year, 72-66.
The Cardinal (2-3) have had two weeks off since they competed in the Maui Invitational.
Stanford went 30-2 last season, but lost key player Josh Childress, who now plays for the Atlanta Hawks.
Expect both Davis and sophomore guard Shannon Brown to be back in the starting line-up after being benched in MSU's last game against George Mason.
Izzo said he wasn't trying to punish the players, he was trying to push their buttons.
The Spartans have had to face some quick run and gun offenses and backcourts after playing No. 9 Duke, George Washington and George Mason last week.
But against Stanford, the team has to switch gears and ask its frontline to step up. Stanford boasts a strong frontline of its own, with 6-foot-10-inch senior center Rob Little, 6-foot-6-inch junior forward Dan Grunfeld and 6-foot-11-inch junior forward Matt Haryasz. Grunfeld put up 26 points against Santa Clara on Nov. 28 in the 86-76 loss, and all three players are averaging double figures in scoring.
That means Rowley and Davis could see some time together on the court Saturday, after Izzo has routinely stuck with smaller lineups to counter their recent quicker opponents.
"I think it's a good thing to have two bigs in the post," Rowley said.
"I think we're looking for another big to step up, and I think I'm stepping up."
