Filling the Void: Who Will MSU Sign with the Transfer of Garrick Sherman?
Garrick Sherman became the fourth Michigan State basketball player to transfer in the past two years on Monday. The 6'11" center played in 70 games during his stint as a Spartan that saw a Big Ten championship and a Final Four appearance.
Highly-touted in high school, Sherman (2.5 PPG, 2.0 RPG) never was able to find consistency in Michigan State's front count that has seemed to be a revolving door of forwards the past couple of seasons.
His departure now leaves Michigan State with an available scholarship for the upcoming season, but most recruits have already declared as the 2011 national signing day has passed.
The obvious move for the Spartans would be to replace Sherman with another power forward or center, but all positions should be considered to upgrade a team that disappointed fans with a sub-par 2010-11 season.
With the success Tom Izzo has shown over the decade, the 2011-12 season cannot be considered a rebuilding year, but must be a reloading year for a program that is eager to firmly place itself among the country's elite.
We will take a look at Michigan State's current roster and the prospects that could help propel the Spartans to its seventh Final Four and second National Championship under the direction of Tom Izzo.
The Starting 5
1 of 5
The Spartans will look to combine talent with experience as they head into the 2011-12 season.
With returning captain Draymond Green leading the way for the Spartans, they will have plenty of young talent around him to do some damage in the Big Ten and the country.
Point Guard: Keith Appling
Appling had a solid freshman season that saw his role as a scorer increase throughout the season. Already established as a lock-down defender, Appling, who is a shoot-first point guard, will lead the Spartans heading into season.
Shooting Guard: Russell Byrd
Byrd missed all of the 2010-11 season with an injury and Tom Izzo decided to redshirt the 6'7" guard from Fort Wayne, Indiana. After recovering from the injury, Byrd impressed his teammates and coaches on the practice squad. Russell's large frame and silky smooth jump shot is something Spartan fans can be excited for.
Small Forward: Draymond Green
The heart and soul of the Spartans returns for his senior season with big goals in mind. After being named Sixth Man of the Year in 2009, Green was named to the third team All-Big Ten as a Junior. His knowledge of the game allows him to be versitile on the court and is a threat shooting, rebounding and passing. Green accounted for two triple-doubles last season, with the second being only the seventh triple-double in NCAA tournament history.
Power Forward: Delvon Roe
Entering his senior season, it will be the first time since he has arrived in East Lansing that his summer preparation does not include surgery. Hopefully his off season workouts provide him the consistency that Spartan fans have been waiting for. Roe was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive team for his interior work on opposing big men. He will need to continue to develop a mid-range game and avoid the injury bug to make a big impact on the league.
Center: Adriean Payne
With the departure of Sherman and the inconsistencies of this position, Adreian Payne seems to be the front runner for this spot. Payne showed great athleticism during the latter portions of the season and helped do an incredible job defensively on Ohio State's Jared Sullinger. As long as Payne can develop during the off season, he should be the go-to-guy for the Spartans.
Returners Coming off the Bench: Guards
2 of 5
With the departure of Kalin Lucas (graduation), Mike Kebler (graduation) and Korie Lucious (transfer), finding guards with experience will be tough to come by for the Spartans next season.
Other than the walk-ons that filled out the practice squad last year, only one guard returns, making this one area of concern for Spartan fans.
Guards: Austin Thornton
Thornton continues to be in good graces with coach Tom Izzo and has seen his playing time increase over the past two seasons.
Thornton is a gritty player who brings defensive stability to the perimeter.
Offensively, Austin is a bit of a liability (has only averaged 2.0 PPG for his career), but he is a "glue" guy that can take the incoming freshman under his wing and help them adjust to the day-to-day grind that is college basketball.
Returning Big Men
3 of 5
The frontcourt for Michigan State has been inconsistent over the past couple of years and the departure of Garrick Sherman doesn't help.
However, this area could be a strength for the Spartans with the expereince that is returning down low. The Spartans were interchangeable on the block last season, so there is starting experience that always pays dividends throught a season. An offseason filled with skill building could make them as formidible as any group in the Big Ten.
Forwards/Center:
Derrick Nix: Any Spartan fans knows the roller coaster ride that has been Derrick Nix's career. Coming to Michigan State as "Mr. Basketball" led to high expectations for the wide-bodied forward. After an early season issue that questioned Nix's committment to keeping off his weight, Derrick slowly worked himself into basketball shape.
There is no doubt Nix has the skills to be a dominant force in the Big Ten and could potentially be in the starting line-up by mid-season if he committs himself to staying in shape and improving his game. He showed resiliency with some late season playing time, but Tom Izzo will not trust him until he shows he's ready to be fully committed.
Alex Gauna: The Eaton Rapids grown Gauna redshirted last year for the Spartans. A big body at 6'9", 240 lbs, Guana's experience with the program should provide stability at the end of the bench. He won't see big minutes this year, but with a nice scoring touch and big body, it only makes sense to see him get some minutes next season.
.png?w=256 "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship")
Welcome Freshman
4 of 5
The 2011-12 incoming class provides depth in the backcourt for Michigan State. Each of these players were heavily recruited and according to Tom Izzo, one of the first groups of players that "sought" out the Spartans to play their college basketball. If these freshman can have an immediate impact, this could propell them to another Big Ten championship and contention for another Final Four.
Guards:
Dwaun Anderson: Anderson joins Derrick Nix and Keith Appling as Michigan Mr. Basketball's to attend MSU. Anderson possess great leaping ability and a knack for scoring around the rim. Coming out of small Sutton's Bay H.S. (Mich.) might lead Dwaun into an adjustment period but his 20.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 4.8 APG as a 6' 3" guard cannot be denied and will add immediate depth to the guard position. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4xwU_0S40c&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
Brandan Kearney: Brandan comes to East Lansing from state powerhouse Detroit Southeastern. At 6'5" Kearney has the length to defend on the wings and be a factor in the paint. He has the ability to shoot from long range and with his 81" wing span, can get to the rim with ease. Increasing his strength and consistency will be a key for Kearney who could be the next coming of Durrell Summers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnhaOvqIHFk&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
Travis Trice: Although generously listed at 5'11" and 160 lbs., Trice has the quickness and basketball savvy to be an impact player at MSU. Trice has great range and has the ability to get others in scoring position. The addition of Travis gives the Spartans options at guard that could allow Keith Appling to slide over to the shooting guard postion and give them a distributing point guard that can knock down the big shot when needed. See him heat up in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2n4tzct0xQ
Forwards:
Branden Dawson: Branden Dawson appears to be the cream of the crop for this year's freshman class. Michigan State's 14th McDonald's All-American brings a physique that all ready appears ready for the college game. At 6'6" and 220 lbs., Dawson dominated in high school. He averaged an eye-popping 28.7 PPG, 18.6 RPG and 5.6 APG for Lew Wallace (Ind.) High School. Branden looks to compete for an immediate spot in the starting rotation and with the strength and quickness to guard three different positions, the sky seems to be the limit for this prized recruit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_74fSopb8yU
The Missing Link: What to Do with the Available Scholarship?
5 of 5
With the departure of Garrick Sherman, it leaves Michigan State in a difficult predicament.
Do they save the scholarship until next year and try to get another prized recruit, or do they use it on a player that has yet to decide which school to attend? I will give a rundown of five of the best players remaining. Decide for yourself who should be the next high school great to proudly wear the green and white.
Eric Katenda, Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.): Any time there is an ESPN Top 100 recruit remaining, he should be looked at. Ranked as the 21st best Power Forward of his class, Katenda has good footwork and skills that could translate well in East Lansing. At 6'8", he has the makings of a mid-range game and the ability to step out and hit an occasional three pointer and could give Michigan State a definite scoring option and provide depth at the post position.
Trevor Lacey, S.R. Butler H.S. (Ala.): Another ESPN 4-star recruit who has built a reputation as a perimeter scorer. Lacey was the 2010 Alabama Mr. Basketball and has won two state championships and is still playing for a third. The fact that he is a proven winner should entice Tom Izzo to add some more depth at the shooting guard position. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG5zrDehIGw&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
Otto Porter, Scott County Central H.S. (Mo.): This 6'9" small forward would add depth to both the wing and post positions for the Spartans. He is touted for his mid-range game and his ability to use his length to get past defenders. He was named as a 2011 Jordan Brand All-American and he averaged 29.9 points and 12.6 rebounds as a senior. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI5HKn9r_HU&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
Brett Comer, Winter Park H.S. (Fla.): Comer is the point guard on the same team as the nation's number one recruit Austin Rivers (Duke). Comer, who verbally committed to Florida Atlantic (but changed his mind), is regarded as a superb ball handler. He might not have all of the tools to be an impact player at Michigan State but with decent size (6'2" 180 lbs.), he could provide depth at point guard behind Keith Appling and Travis Trice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnIwKuN3iQ&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
Matt Gorski, Cosby H.S. (Va.): Matt Gorski has flown under the radar with recruits but at 6'10" he has one thing the Spartans have desperately needed: Size. His addition to the post could provide depth for the team as well as put a formidable player on the scout team. Might not be worth a scholarship, but with work, he could be a reliable program player for the Spartans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwWOHJoBL8A&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1 (number 40 at the beginning of the video)
.png?w=480 "NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
