Site News of the Capitalist Pig Variety: I’ve added a permanent “Bookstore” link at the top of the blog. The page contains links to a variety of college-basketball related books/DVDs plus other sports-related books I’ve read and enjoyed. Check it out.
Trey Zeigler is the focus of an article by Sam Webb in the Detroit News. Zeigler is a 6’4″, 180-pound, junior-to-be guard from Mount Pleasant. He’s also the son of Central Michigan basketball coach Ernie Zeigler. Zeigler is getting national attention after a breakout performance on the AAU circuit this summer. His views on the two major in-state programs:
“(U-M coach John) Beilein tells me he wants me to be the guy to turn it around,” Trey said. “With (Tom) Izzo, it’s not really a turn-around type thing; Michigan State is already on top. It’s more of just coming in and filling the shoes of the people that have already been there.”
Given that Zeigler won’t be a college freshman for another two years, I hope he’s not quoting Beilein verbatim on “being the guy to turn it around” at Michigan.
Scott Tappa of Badgercentric fame has done a 2008-09 preview of the Wisconsin basketball team for IUplanet.com. Summary: Solid core of four returning players (Hughes, Bohannon, Krabbenhoft, Landry), but there are some question marks beyond those four guys. Scott picks Wisconsin to finish third in the conference behind Purdue/MSU at this point.
On the topic of the outlook for Big Ten teams next season, College Basketball Chronotope has compiled a handy list of returning Big Ten players for the 2008-09 season, sorted based on his efficiency rankings. Based on that system (and ignoring newcomers, which he also lists), the preseason all-conference team would be Demetri McCamey, E’Twaun Moore, Raymary Morgan, Robbie Hummel, and Goran Suton.
The Detroit Free Press has a photo gallery up of the top 15 MSU basketball stars since 1993. Their list:
- Mateen Cleaves
- Shawn Respert
- Morris Peterson
- Drew Neitzel
- Charlie Bell
- Maurice Ager
- Jason Richardson
- Andre Hutson
- Paul Davis
- Antonio Smith
- Eric Snow
- Shannon Brown
- Zach Randolph
- Alan Anderson
- Marcus Taylor
This leads into this week’s Coffee Talk question:
The only player from the Izzo era whose number has been retired is Mateen Cleaves. Who else, if anyone, from the Izzo era deserves to have his number retired?
For your reference, here’s the current list of retired numbers (in chronological order of playing careers):
- 24: Johnny Green
- 32: Greg Kelser
- 33: Magic Johnson
- 31: Jay Vincent
- 4: Scott Skiles
- 21: Steve Smith
- 24: Shawn Respert
- 12: Mateen Cleaves
Mo Pete definitely deserves to have his jersey hung in the Bres. I may be wrong, but I’m pretty sure our man Izzo has said Mo Pete’s jersey will be retired. I think two years ago there was supposed to be a ceremony during a home game but Mo’s schedule conflicted or something of that sort so the ceremony needed to be delayed.
I could be wrong, it’s happened before.
once.
Maybe Mo Pete, but no one else. Pre-Izzo success at MSU usually centered around a dominate player. Izzo, on the other hand, has had great teams. Arguably, the leader(s) of great teams should also have their numbers retired, but since Cleaves and Peterson were probably the last true, consistent leaders an Izzo team has had, I don’t see any other nominees. In fact, isn’t that what most people think has been the missing ingredient? Sure, other Izzo teams have had great runs, but the lack of a true leader has probably resulted in these teams lacking consistency. Of course, Izzo himself is a shoe-in, but let’s hope that ceremony isn’t for a long, long time.
Would it be better to set a particular criteria to get your number retired? For example, Big Ten MVP and/or 1st team All-American? (only MoPete and Mateen were league MVPs from the Izzo era list) Academic All-American? (Chris Hill was a 3-time first-team Academic All-American) Multiple years of first-team all-Big Ten?
Here is a link to Big Ten honors over the years:
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/MBBHonors.pdf
I know that UNC has certain criteria that must be reached. I believe one of the achievements must be national player of the year award. its a little though to get your number retired down in chapel hill.
Wikipedia confirms the UNC thing. That is a mighty tough standard.
To have a jersey retired, a player must win one of the following six national player of the year awards: Associated Press, National Association of Basketball Coaches, Sporting News, John R. Wooden Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, and Naismith College Player of the Year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honored_North_Carolina_Tar_Heels_men%27s_basketball_players
No love for Charlie Bell? Third-team All-American as a senior. One of two Spartans (Huston is the other) to start for three Final Four teams.
Keep in mind that neither Skiles nor Smith was a first-team AP All-American.
I wouldn’t quibble with Mo Pete. Mateen was the one guy on the National Title team who I don’t think they could have won it without.
There were guys who could compensate at pretty much every other position and aspect of the game except Mateen’s leadership, determination and play at the point. The one exception to that statement would probably be the true consistent scoring threat Mo Pete was.
I don’t think anyone from the post 2001-era qualifies.
I’m in total agreement about Mo Pete. I watched the UNC/MSU Dec. ’99 game on the BTN the other day. Boy, I miss those guys.
I’m going to be the person who throws this out there: Drew Neitzel. While he didn’t win any Championships, he certainly left his mark on the program and pretty much single-handedly kept our tournament run going. He started as a freshman for a Final Four team. He was 1st team Big Ten 2 years in a row, as well as an Academic All-American 2nd team(?). He’s way high on the three-point stats (3rd), as well as assists (4th), even though he only played the point for his first two years. He also set the record for free-throw % (.866), above Respert. He’s also only the 3rd person at MSU and 12th in the Big Ten to have over 1,500 points and over 500 assists. He’s also 10th in assists in Big ten history. Those are some pretty good stats. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be shot down, but the thought of someone else wearing #11 just doesn’t seem right after all that he’s done.
For the record, I’d rank the candidates this way:
1) Peterson–should be a lock at some point (as noted by Kalvin).
2) Bell–I think you can make an argument between blend of individual/team accomplishments.
3) Antonio Smith–due to his long-term influence on the program; if he doesn’t come to MSU, do the rest of the Flintstones?
4) Netizel–I sympathize with the last commenter, but probably not enough to merit his number being formally retired.
I don’t know quite where you draw the line. Depends on how you judge the Izzo era vs. the pre-Izzo era.
[...] the top guys on the radar for 2010 are 6-3 guard Trey Zeigler of Mount Pleasant, 6-9 center Alex Gauna of Eaton Rapids, 6-8 forward Jon Horford of Grand Ledge [...]
Does anyone know the story behind why #24 is retired twice?
Because they didn’t retire Johnny Green’s number until after Shawn Respert’s career was already over.