Sunday is Senior Day. Here’s your discussion question: What the first word that pops into your head when you hear the name of each of four seniors?
My (alliterative) answers are below.
Goran Suton
Improvement.
Suton’s key tempo-free numbers for the four years he was an active player:
| Stat | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 |
| OffRtg | 95.0 | 98.2 | 113.8 | 119.2 |
| eFG% | 47.0 | 50.9 | 55.4 | 56.6 |
| TO% | 25.2 | 26.1 | 20.4 | 19.6 |
| OffReb% | 10.0 | 11.6 | 13.6 | 13.8 |
| DefReb% | 13.4 | 19.7 | 22.3 | 21.0 |
While most four-year players show improved efficiency over their careers, you’re not going to find too many that have followed that consistent an upward path of performance. Suton came in as an unheralded big man from a local high school; he departs as the near-perfect Tom Izzo post player. I once called him “indispensable.” This year’s nonconference results (unfortunately) proved me right.
I’m going to move on before I start tearing up.
Travis Walton
Izzoesque.
Walton has generated his share of angst from MSU fans on the offensive side of the court. His offensive rating has never gotten above the 95-105 range. Nevertheless, he’s been a Tom Izzo kind of a player from the get go.
And, as a senior, there are stats-based reasons to celebrate his contributions to the team: He’s turned the best perimeter scorers in the Big Ten into downright mediocre performers, and he’s reduced his turnover percentage from 30%+ in previous years to 20.9% this year–while at the same time picking up the slack creating scoring opportunities for his teammates as Kalin Lucas has focused more on individual scoring in conference play.
On a team that reflects Tom Izzo’s personality, Travis Walton has been Izzo’s on-the-court assistant.
Marquise Gray
Inconsistency.
On paper, Gray is the greatest disappointment of the Izzo era. To some extent, that’s based on what was no doubt overly enthusiastic evaluations of Gray’s abilities by the recruiting gurus. Injuries (another “I” word) have also been a factor. And, quite frankly, even when healthy Gray just hasn’t had the capacity to put it all together for more than a game or two at a time.
Nevertheless, Gray has had moments of brilliance. He’s been an all-conference-level defensive rebounder throughout his career (20%+ DefReb% the last three years). And, to his credit, I have yet to see him pouting on the bench this year, even as his playing time has been decreased to a handful of minutes per game. He’s held his head high, and I applaud him for it.
Idong Ibok
Illinois.
I’m 95% confident that Ibok has played the fewest minutes of any four-year scholarship player during the Tom Izzo era. But I’m also going to say he fully earned his five years of scholarship funding in the five minutes he played against Illinois last Sunday.
Bonus stat: 3.1 blocks/40 minutes played for his career.
Your Turn: Let’s hear what the rest of you have to say about these four Spartans. Bonus points for using words that start with the same letter for all four players.
Goran-improved tremendously from the 1st season when me missed a point blank layup for a win against gonzaga at Maui.
Does not play gr8 defense but improved his offensive and passing skills.
Walton-the kind of guy who we might see as a head coach in the near future.A gr8 defender like Kelvin tolbert and he is one of the main reasons of the outright championship.
Gray-Have to agree the most disappointing player in Izzo era..never showed consistency from 1 half to another let alone in 2 games.Played gr8 in the NCAA 2 yrs ago but…
ID..a gr8 career for a guy who started playing basketball a few yrs ago..rightly said..will be remembered or his stellar defense against Tisdale.
A salute to all the seniors..have graduated and watched the 2000 team win it all….hope these seniors lead the way for a deep run in March.
Suton- Development
Suton really amazed me with his growth over the last couple years. Exactly the kind of changes you want to see in a player.
Walton- Defense
What can you say? Walton’s jump shots used to make me cringe, but his ability to stick with his man has always been his defining characteristic.
Gray- Dunks
Say what you want about Gray, but he somehow still retains that ability to electrify the Breslin crowd. He got the fans out of their seats in our first victory against the Illini this year.
Ibok- Depth
How many other teams get (almost) 7 footers to come in off the bench? Ibok’s presence made teams think twice about getting close to the basket when our starters needed some time off.
Well done, Zeke. 50 bonus points for you.
How about a 50% bonus for using two letters?
Walton – Tenacity. A player who can truly change a game with his defense. He also isn’t afraid to push his teammates. We have a wealth of talent returning next year, but there is noone to fill Walton’s shoes.
Suton – Eurogame. A good passer with the ability to shoot from the outside. He has that gentle sort of European style. Would have loved to see him get a little more fired up over his career, though I sure appreciate his rebounding effort.
Gray – Enigma. Feel he was stunted by being the whipping boy for a few years. Feel he has tremendous heart and could have contributed more the last two years. I like what he can do around the rim, but I thought he would have developed a ten foot shot. I’ve always felt a little sorry for him, but admire him because he is the first guy off the bench to congratulate his teammates.
Ibok – Tall. He used his height effectively throughout his career. He learned to play defense without fouling every time the player he was guarding touched the ball. There were many games, especially when he was getting more minutes, where his size changed the complexion of the game.
I know Ibok is a grad student, and while I don’t know for sure, I’m assuming all four will earn a degree. Congratulations.
Suton-Spartan. He’s become a typical MSU player. Tough, strong, multi-skilled. Big man who can stretch the D if needed (almost like an AJ Granger).
Walton- defense. The way he plays defense reminds me of a pit bull, he just locks on. He for some reason has always reminded me of Eric Snow, can’t shake it, but like Eric he has a 15 ft jumper, plays good D, and does a quality job of setting up the O.
Gray- unfulfilledhope. (yes that’s one word.) So much promise, so much talent, but it all never seemed to click. Every year I kept saying we’ve got a talented big guy, but every year he hasn’t fulfilled my hope.
Ibok- Mutumbo. He comes in and blocks shots and D’s up bigs; just like at Illinois.
Suton – a classic Spartan big man. Rebounds like crazy, good midrange game, tough enough not to get pushed around.
Walton – an absolute pest (and I mean that in the most complementary way possible). Just ask any of the great scorers he’s shut down this year.
Gray – unfortunate. I think we’ll always wonder if he could have been a dominant big man if he had stayed healthy longer and not had whatever rhythm he had thrown off by lengthy absences.
Ibok – I think the fact that his name sounds like “I Dunk, I Block” says it all.
Suton – Unheralded. Looking at those stats shows how important and impressive Suton is. He seems to have received more praise this year, but doesn’t get the credit he is due, besides from Spartan fans.
Walton – Apology. His defense has truly been great this year, and an apology from me is in order. Travis… My bad for yelling at Izzo (via my tv) to take you out of the game for a more offensive-geared player over the years. Big Ten DPOY.
Gray – Beast. Gray could not exceed/meet the high expectations or overcome the injuries. Still, he hasn’t gone down without a fight. Beastly dunks and blocks have geared up the Breslin crowd numerous times.
Ibok – Elbow. Hard to forget the elbow injury in last year’s tournament against Marquette. Coming off the bench for some solid D has been huge, Ibong Idok (that’s his name right?)
Quite impressive what Izzo has done with the three 3-star recruits (Rivals). Walton and Suton have contributed beyond a three-star level and Ibok probably meets expectations.
“Ibong Idok (that’s his name right?)”
Ah, CBS announcers. I guess African basketball players gotta be Duany Duany to get their name pronounced right.
I ‘m noticing the uniformity with how fans will remember Gray — the potential unreached, the heart immeasurable, and the talent just too raw to develop.
Well. God love ‘im, but not every basketball player is meant — or needed — to develop into an All-Big Ten selection.
Not everyone Izzo brings into the tent is a diamond in the rough. Sometimes, they’re just bodies for depth. I think it’s pretty plain that Quise has had that role since the grand experiment to start him as a junior failed.
Make no mistake though. It’s reserves like that that create the depth that makes it possible for guys like Gray to lift the team with a monster dunk, or for guys like ID to play five minutes of defense that ultimately define his career.
pdw,
the problem with your argument is that Gray was an All-American level talent; a high level recruit. These are the players that coaches rely on to lead their team when they arrive on campus. While Gray has been a good player, a spark for the team, his lack of development is a disappointment for those who were hoping he could become the next Andre Hudson or Zach Randolph for this team. An inside presence that we have so badly needed over the past few years.
I understand your point, but when that player is a 5 start level talent you need that player to play up to the hype!
dan