“I haven’t seen the jerseys yet,” Izzo told the Detroit Free Press. “Supposed to be (camouflage). I just don’t know what they look like.”

Word of the camo uniforms was first leaked when a TV report in St. Louis profiled the company sewing World Series patches on the St. Louis Cardinals uniforms. In the video, a stack of camouflage Spartan uniforms resembling last year’s jerseys was shown next to the Cardinal uniforms.

“All this is still a tribute to the people in the military,” Izzo said. “So I think this is great and I think everything we do will add to it. It’s a big game, of course, but it’s a bigger event.”

First two weeks
Through the first 10 days of practice, Izzo isn’t sure what to make of his team.

With seven players having never seen the floor in an MSU uniform, the coach doesn’t know who will fit into what roles just yet.

“It’s just so hard (to give an assessment),” he said. “With those poor freshmen who — at least two of them, maybe all three — are going to play, they don’t know. And then you have two wings who have never played a second here. One is young and one’s coming from a different level. Then if we get some help continuity — we have enough depth, it’s just we don’t have any experience.”

Izzo didn’t have many bad things to say about his team following practice on Tuesday, just that he likes what he’s seen.

“I’ve been pleased,” he said. “It’s not good enough to win as many games as we need to win, but I’ve been pleased with the effort, chemistry, the things I thought would be important.”

One of those new players, senior guard Brandon Wood agrees with his new coach, following his transfer from Valparasio.

“We’re making strides everyday. We’re coming together on and off the court,” Wood said. “The continuity on the offensive and defensive end is coming together. We’ll be ready for the (exhibition Sunday) and once we start playing the games, it’ll be even more comfortable with each other and we’ll start rolling from there.”

Who plays point?
With former Big Ten Player of the Year point guard Kalin Lucas gone, a lot of playing time at the point has to be picked up by someone.

Izzo said sophomore guard Keith Appling — who along with senior forward Draymond Green is one of just two returning players who averaged more than 20 minutes a game last year — will pick up most of the slack.

Appling has made huge strides in running the team in the first two weeks.

“He’s been great,” Izzo said. “I think him knowing when to shoot, when to dribble, when to pass are going to be the hardest things he’ll have to adjust to, and I think he’s been almost too unselfish now and we’re telling him he has to shoot a little more.”

One thing Izzo said hasn’t changed is his defensive abilities.

“He’s still the best defensive guard in the league,” he said. “He is well-coached in high school or his mom got on him, because he could play defense when he came here and he’s like Travis Walton, more athletic, not quite the grit, but he’s getting close. I’ve been pleased with Keith, he’s done everything I’ve asked of him.”

Appling said he is ready to take on the leadership responsibilities that come with running the point.

“Last year I didn’t really have a big role on the team, but this year my role has changed immensely so I have come in everyday and help lead my team to victory,” he said.