Despite the men’s basketball team entering the season with a lower preseason ranking than normal, head coach Tom Izzo had no shortage of excitement at media day on Tuesday.
“It’s not as much fun when you’re not picked as high,” Izzo said. “We need to earn the right to be back up on the top. It shouldn’t be given to us because we aren’t deserving of it right now, but I do think this team has a chance to get there before we’re done.”
Izzo started by saying that junior guard Denzel Valentine and senior guard Travis Trice have emerged as leaders so far, and they have added leadership that was not present last season.
Izzo believes that seniorguard and forward Branden Dawson will have “the best year of his career,” and if Trice can finally stay healthy, he should also have a “great year.” Izzo also noted that capitalizing on Trice’s shooting ability will be important, as he shot 48 percent from three-point range in league play last year.
Izzo pointed out that Dawson needs to be more consistent this year.
“The motor had to keep running,” Izzo said of Dawson. “That motor is running at a lot higher RPMs than it was running. If we can do that on a consistent basis, he’s not only going to be a good player, I think he’ll be a great player and have a phenomenal senior year.”
Moving on to the junior class, Izzo called Valentine “the class of that group,” as the junior was the only Spartan to appear in every game.
“I think he’s used the offseason to go from a good shooter to a very, very good shooter,” Izzo said of Valentine. “He’s had as good a summer and fall as anybody on our team. I’m expecting a lot out of (Valentine).”
Izzo also said that Valentine will take over some of Gary Harris’s responsibilities, as he could potentially matchup with four different positions on the defensive end.
Izzo spoke very highly of junior guard Bryn Forbes , the transfer from Cleveland State.
“I’m not sure if since Shawn Respert I’ve had a guy who’s had a prettier shot or who can shoot it more consistently well than him,” Izzo said. “We’re going to challenge (Forbes) in the next couple weeks because this kid can fill it up.”
Moving on to the sophomore class, Izzo noted that guard Alvin Ellis III is starting to “get the basketball bug,” and he has been spending more time working on improving his craft. Ellis has focused on improving his ball handling and cutting his turnovers, and Izzo believes that he is pushing for a starting spot.
Sophomore forward Gavin Schilling has also impressed his coach through the fall so far. Schilling and Costello will be relied upon to replace much of former forward Adreian Payne’s production from last season.
“(Schilling) has been the guy that, this fall, has stepped up probably the most,” Izzo said. “He’s made the biggest jump the last three weeks.”
