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Post by ilikebasketball on Aug 11, 2008 13:35:47 GMT -5
I know football is leading the pack right now, but I thought I would set up a Michigan State Basketball thread ... little early, sure. But it keeps me occupied.
Anyways, MSU got a verbal commit for the class of 2010 in Keith Appling. He is a 6'3 guard out of Detroit Pershing. From what i see he is listed as the 59th best player in the '10 graduating class.
On May 29, Justin Young of Rivals.com wrote the following about Appling while watching him average 20.7 points per game for the R.E.A.C.H. Legends at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions in North Carolina:
"Few players in the class of 2010 know how to score the ball quite like the guard out of Detroit. Appling loves to go hard to the basket and challenge players at the rim. His first step is strong and quick and clearly his go-to weapon on the offensive end of the floor.
Appling continues to light up the oldest division on the circuit. Scoring 20 points per game is becoming the norm for the rising junior. It's no wonder why those that follow the high school scene in Michigan have been singing his praises for the last year."
Kind of exciting to be thinking that far ahead.
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Post by Kyle Feller on Aug 11, 2008 14:23:55 GMT -5
Spartans?
Manchester College?
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Post by huntington fan on Aug 12, 2008 9:10:50 GMT -5
Homestead High School in Fort Wayne?
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Post by Kyle Feller on Aug 12, 2008 10:50:06 GMT -5
haha
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Post by huisrealgood on Sept 19, 2008 11:03:32 GMT -5
WAU,
It looks like you should keep your eye out for a few MSU basketball recruits and former greats at the game tomorrow. Here's a short piece from Rivals about the Spartans big visit weekend this weekend:
Last weekend it was USC. This weekend it is Michigan State with a number of big time recruits on campus. The Spartans are taking full advantage of the home football game with Notre Dame to hold a reunion weekend. Former standouts like Steve Smith, Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell, Shannon Brown, Maurice Ager, Eric Snow, Al Anagonye and others are expected to be on campus. The prospect list for the Spartans is also very impressive.
Trey Zeigler is part of a big weekend at Michigan State. Class of 2009 commitments Derrick Nix and Garrick Sherman will both be in town on official visits. Keith Appling, a 2010 MSU commitment, will be in on an unofficial trip.
The class of 2010 will be well represented. In-state stars Trey Zeigler, Alex Gauna and Jon Horford, all Rivals150 prospects, are scheduled to be in East Lansing. So will Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence North wing Justin Martin, a top-40 national prospect.
The Spartans are also bringing in a few 2011 prospects. Brandon Kearney, a point guard from Detroit (Mich.) Southeastern, and high school teammate Percy Gibson, an intriguing young big man, will make it out for the weekend.
Ladonte Henton, a 6-foot-5 wing from Lansing (Mich.) Eastern, is considered by some to be the state's top player in the 2011 class. He will be on campus. Soutfhfield (Mich.) point guard Carlton Brundage and Paul Honigford, a 6-foot-8 forward from Sugarcreek (Ohio) Garaway, will also be in town for unofficial visits.
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Post by WereAUniversity on Sept 19, 2008 11:12:00 GMT -5
Haahaahaa look at you!
Im not the seasoned vet on rivals that you are. I have been so preoccupied with the football site, that i havent even THOUGHT about basketball.
I appreciate the heads up!
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Post by WereAUniversity on Sept 19, 2008 11:27:22 GMT -5
The class of 2010 will be well represented. In-state stars ..... Jon Horford Not sure if anyone put this together, but this is Al Horford's little brother. I was able to watch some of his games this past season and he is a legit ball player. I think Al was more aggressive and had much better footwork and "big man moves" .... But in terms of his ability to just "play the game" I think Jon has a slight edge on Al. I know this sounds weird and i cant really explain it, but Where Jon is now, I think he is better then Al was going into his Jr. season Ladonte Henton, a 6-foot-5 wing from Lansing (Mich.) Eastern, is considered by some to be the state's top player in the 2011 class. He will be on campus. This kid is a piece of work. I saw .... 2 or 3 of his games last season. He is aggressive, physical, hard nosed, and as "rough" as a prospect can be. There is going to have to be A LOT of polishing done with him before he plays college ball. I think he has the right tools, but he needs to start becoming for of a student of the game and stop trying to just be a hood, street ball player.
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Post by WereAUniversity on Oct 24, 2008 22:00:26 GMT -5
MSU recieved there 2nd recruit for the 2010 class ... Russell Byrd from Blackhawk Christian in Fort Wayne has committed to the Spartans today. He is big (6'7") shooting gaurd who supposedly is a great shooter. He chose MSU over Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Louisville, Baylor, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Michigan. I am pumped for this guy! michiganstate.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=867567
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Post by Loucks on Oct 25, 2008 8:59:50 GMT -5
Byrd is a former teammate of Grace's Dayton Merrell.
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Post by Mark Richard on Oct 25, 2008 9:01:02 GMT -5
Russell Byrd is solid. Great pickup for the Spartans.
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Post by WereAUniversity on Oct 25, 2008 15:43:14 GMT -5
Thats awesome! Good to hear!
If you guys in the FW area ever see him play, let me know what you see and how he plays.
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Post by WereAUniversity on Nov 5, 2008 23:30:07 GMT -5
So I just back from MSU's exhibition game with Northern Michigan. I totally understand this is an exhibition game, and it really doesnt mean much of anything, but here are some thoughts ... - Delvon Roe ... Holy CRAP! It has been quite a while since I have been THIS excited about a freshman. I have heard from
a few people who are close to the team that have said Roe is anywhere 65% to 80% healthy. If that is true and they arent just trying to blow smoke ... he is going to be absolutely SICK when he actually is healthy. He was quite dominate and is an insane athlete.
- Our guard depth is going to be one of our strongest assets this year. We started 3 guards (Kalin Lucas, Chris Allen and Travis Walton) tonight, and all of them played very solid. I am excited to see how these guys preform against actual competition. Off of the bench, Durrel Summers put up 30 points tonight, 21 of those coming from behind the arc. He got hot early and was oddly left open a lot. Then with freshman Korie Lucious ... Our guards look real good.
- The main point of concern I have is our "in-paint play". Although I dislike him because our high schools are rivals, but Goron Suton is really our only true post player. And I have to admit he is does a hell of a job. Aside from him, Raymar Morgon, Delvon Roe and Idong Ibok are all the run and gun type of pick guys. VERY athletic, very fast and have the ability to play anywhere.
- All in all it was a solid effort. We won by like 62 points, Northern is terrible and made it VERY hard to gauge how good this team actually is. There were a lot of good things i saw, there were also somethings i saw that could be exploted by a good team unless we make some changes.
- Story of the night has to be the Northern Michigan coach. He was ejected for SCREAMING at the ref too much. And then the best part was that since it was an exhibition, he was allowed to sit in the crowd. Well, homeboy thought he would be sneaky and call his assistant coaches during timeouts and speak to his players. It was unbelievable. I have never seem anything like that in my life. There was a part of me that thought it was funny, but it also made me want to go jack the dude in the mouth.
- It feels great to be back in the area and able to watch State on a regular basis. I cant wait for B10 ball to start!
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Post by QuietCop on Nov 6, 2008 8:32:24 GMT -5
From what I have heard, Byrd is pretty awesome. My church pastor is very good friends with his dad, who is also a pastor. I hope to see him play this year at some point. I know Kentucky was also on his list of possibilities.
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Post by Kyle Feller on Nov 6, 2008 8:44:05 GMT -5
He's the next great red headed white kid to play for Michigan State. Izzo has a history of getting these kids.......it's his niche.
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Post by WereAUniversity on Nov 16, 2008 21:36:02 GMT -5
I was at the State game tonight against the Idaho Vandals .... Like football, they (idaho) are not a good basketball team. State won 100-62
I refuse to make my mind up as to how good this team is until they play someone worth playing. Northern, Lake Superior State and Idaho ... does not meet that criteria, but in the season opener, obviously i will take a win. It wont take long before we are playin some tough teams. We have Maryland next, then either 'Zaga or OK State .... then another good team .... Then before you know it, we're playing UNC.
Raymar Morgon who usually plays the 3, started at the 4 tonight, which gave us the ability to start 3 guards with is awesome because it really utilizes the speed, and how athletic this team is. He finished with 21 points tonight. Our depth at the guard position is tremendous. Chris Allen (3) had 21 points tonight and was just everywhere! I am a little hesitant about our bigs. They're decent, but nothing to brag about. Goron is ok, but too inconsistent. So who knows.
Delvon Roe looked pretty good tonight as well. His progress is coming along pretty well and he getting back to where he was. For only being 70% ... I was impressed. He is quick and has a great understanding of the game. Im pumped to see this progress even further.
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