Men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo was optimistic at practice last Friday, citing strong leadership and chemistry as reasons why he believes this season will turn out better than expected.

A lack of offseason injuries are a major reason why the Spartans are in good spirits with the season tipping off in just under a month.

And that’s good news for senior guard and team co-captain Travis Trice, who thrived as a sixth man last season after recovering from a mysterious brain infection earlier in the year, which cost him three months of summer workouts and 22 pounds of weight.

After a productive offseason, Izzo said Trice is one of his most-improved guys. A healthy Trice will be key for the Spartans next season, who with the departure of Keith Appling will likely rely on Trice playing a featured role in the backcourt.

“I think he’s healthier,” Izzo said. “He really was injured from the day he came, when you look at the injuries he had where he never had a full length (of) time to do something. He’s had a good spring, a good summer, a good fall, and I think that’s one reason.”

Coming off the bench, Trice was third in the Big Ten last season in 3-point percentage (.434) and was second on the team in 3-pointers made (53).

Izzo said Trice has taken his role as captain to heart. He’s running the offense better and, according to Izzo, has a lot of confidence.

“I like where we’re headed and I like the fact that he’s a guy that’s been through it all,” Izzo said. “He’s had injuries, but he’s also had great nights. And I think he has the best perspective of anyone on the team.”

As far as returning players, Izzo named senior forward Branden Dawson and sophomore guard Alvin Ellis III as players who have markedly improved over the offseason.

“It’s been really good this summer,” Izzo said. “I think we have a little better leadership than last year. That’s not a knock, but just a fact. I thought we had good chemistry last year, we’ve just got guys leading them here at night, so that’s been better.”

Concussions

The Michigan football program has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in the past week. U-M football head coach Brady Hoke caught criticism for playing sophomore quarterback Shane Morris after suffering a big hit against Minnesota on Sept. 27. Morris was visibly unwell after the hit, and many believed at the time that Morris had suffered a concussion.

At practice on Friday, Izzo said he supports Hoke “400 percent,” saying he believes his fellow Big Ten coach didn’t have bad intentions.

“I don’t know all the circumstances, but what I do know is no one would do that (intentionally),” Izzo said. “And there’s no-win-at-all-costs guys (in the conference) and I can’t speak for everybody.”