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This is Appling's team next year, right?

  • I know I'll get killed talking about next year already, but I was just skimming the roster and I'm still amazed at how young we are.

    We lose Green, Thornton and Wood (plus Ianni and Sweeny) this year. The only Junior on the roster is Nix. The only Sophs are Appling, Payne and Chapman.

    So, even though Nix will be a Sr next year (and will probably be a co-captain), I assume this will be Appling's team to lead. He's definitely seen how good leadership can change the trajectory of a team. He was able to see how bad leaders can get a team bounced in the 1st round ('10-'11), and good leaders can put a team in a position to contend for an NC ('11-'12).

    Hopefully, he takes this lesson to heart and becomes the leader we need him to be.

    BongoFury

  • BongoFury said...

    I know I'll get killed talking about next year already, but I was just skimming the roster and I'm still amazed at how young we are.

    We lose Green, Thornton and Wood (plus Ianni and Sweeny) this year. The only Junior on the roster is Nix. The only Sophs are Appling, Payne and Chapman.

    So, even though Nix will be a Sr next year (and will probably be a co-captain), I assume this will be Appling's team to lead. He's definitely seen how good leadership can change the trajectory of a team. He was able to see how bad leaders can get a team bounced in the 1st round ('10-'11), and good leaders can put a team in a position to contend for an NC ('11-'12).

    Hopefully, he takes this lesson to heart and becomes the leader we need him to be.

    Nix, Payne and Appling better take notes on how Green and Austin have lead this team. They will need it.

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    Spartyshannon

  • Didn't Nix and Appling play together in HS? I think Nix is going to surprise people with some of his leadership skills. He wears his heart on his sleeve, may not be the most vocal, but I think he'll step up. Plus he had some difficulities when he started so he should be able to help out the incomming Freshmen make good decisions.

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    InTenSity ●

  • It's going to be a very different leadership make up next season. I think it will be mostly Nix's team with a bit of Appling. Trice could even step up, seems to be a really smart player.

    2chins 1hoke

  • We have a tournament run still going on right now. Let's enjoy it.

    All I'll say is that when Green was out of the game yesterday it was incredibly painful to watch our offense.

    WavSpartan ●

  • honestly I think Nix takes over next year.

    If Nix works hard this summer, he can work himself into a legit nba player.

    Hard work is contagious, and every year it starts with the seniors.

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    Holdensheroes ●

  • King Clown will be the leader of this team next year...

    Banned 12/30/2010 - 1/7/2011 (for not believing in the power of prayer)

    Hitch 22

  • 2chins 1hoke said...

    It's going to be a very different leadership make up next season. I think it will be mostly Nix's team with a bit of Appling. Trice could even step up, seems to be a really smart player.

    These are the guys that come to mind for me. Nix is the lone senior and seems to have matured to the point where he can/will be a leader. Appling is the next most experienced guy, but is more of a leadership by example guy and not a big vocal guy. I think you have to keep Trice in mind just because he's a coaches son, and you can't ever count those guys out.

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    We are not the same, I am a Spartan

    msusnee ●

  • Holdensheroes said...

    honestly I think Nix takes over next year.

    If Nix works hard this summer, he can work himself into a legit nba player.

    Hard work is contagious, and every year it starts with the seniors.

    I'm really impressed how well he's developed his post game. It all seems so effortless for him now.

    2010 was weird year for him. Izzo contemplating leaving for the NBA, and he's openly crying about the possibility. Then early in the '10-'11 season, he doesn't go to Maui and almost leaves the team. It seems like he's shrugged off that period, put in the work and has made himself a force to be reckoned with.

    I don't see Nix as a vocal leader like Day-Day, but I also haven't seen that with Appling yet either. I'm just assuming since Appling will be running the offense, he would be the leader by default.

    BongoFury

  • I have a feeling Branden Dawson is going to step up. Don't know why, but I think he's going to be a real leader.

    MSUChip23

  • It will probably be a combo of Nix & Appling. They experienced the same thing in HS together so I dont think there will be any ego problems between the two.

    MSUManiac13

  • Fletch said...

    The sooner we come to terms with the fact that this team won't have a leader like Green again for quite some time the easier it will be. There were 10 years in between Mateen and Draymond, and I'm sure some time will pass before we see another one. Nix and Appling will be decent leaders, but only a very select few have the ability the other two do.

    Yeah, I guess that's true - and to achieve real success, Izzo's teams need a leader that's an extension of himself on the floor.

    It was pretty evident even in Day-Day's freshman year that Izzo had found a a guy just like him. You just don't see freshmen arguing with Izzo in full view cameras very often.

    BongoFury

  • You all seem to be discounting Trice too quickly... I think he will be a all big ten caliber point when all is said and done.

    I think his leadership starts next year.

    ug...

    AvgMSUJoe

  • We lose our three best shooters. Trice is going to have to be able to stretch the defense. Hopefully Byrd is able to take on a bigger role. And hopefully Appling gets in the gym this summer and next season we have a PG that makes other teams respect his jumpshot.

    As far as I know the 4 freshmen coming in all can shoot it. That will be huge.

    Spartan Dawgs20

  • I think there is a realtionship brewiing between Keith and Izzo. I think Keith will really step and the be THE guy for this team next year.

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    Eggy ●

  • I think the leadership will be more spread out among the players, rather than centered on one guy like Draymond. But I also believe its difficult to say, because so many guys are ready to step into that role -- but are waiting for their moment. For example, NO ONE thought Thornton would be as essential to the team as he's been this year. He just waited his turn.

    If Nix wants to, he has all the tools to be a leader; maybe not the main guy, but one of the main guys. He's fought through a lot of adversity, criticism, and self-doubt. He's been there. Appling is growing up fast. Payne is asserting himself. Dawson seems to have built a lot of confidence. Kearney is getting key minutes. Trice is a potential "coach on the floor" type.

    Much like Andrew Maxwell this year -- I like the potential a lot. Remains to be seen how the team reacts under pressure in 2012-2013.

    Tupes ●

  • I don't see a lot of "ready to wear" leaders on the roster next season. Keith, Derrick and Adreian are all just quiet and somewhat introverted kids by their nature. Sure there are some young guys (Trice, Dawson, Valentine, Kearney, Costello) who I can see growing into that role in a year or two but until then, I have a feeling it's going to be a leadership by committee type of roster.

    Fortunately, I don't see anyone on next year's roster who I'm fearful of them really stepping out of line. Fact of the matter is, Izzo has done an amazing job recently of recruiting humble and high character kids and I think that will go a long way in bridging the gap between Draymond's departure and the arrival and or ascendance of the next great Spartan leader.

    This post has been edited 2 times, most recently by JackTa1kThai on 3/19/2012 at 12:25 PM

    JackTa1kThai

  • I think Trice has the intelligence and relationship with Tom to become the leader. He can smile when Tom is harping at him, he can disagree and Tom listens, much like Green. I think Trice is our new Leader. Appling just gets lost when things are not going well, and Nix has to focus on himself to stay in control not the whole team.

    SPARTAN69

  • AvgMSUJoe said...

    You all seem to be discounting Trice too quickly... I think he will be a all big ten caliber point when all is said and done.

    I think his leadership starts next year.

    This. Trice is a leader and a coaches son. Reminds me a lot of Travis Walton when I listen to him talk about the game. He will be a leader for Spartan teams over the next few years.

    JohnGalt1 ●

  • WavSpartan said...

    We have a tournament run still going on right now. Let's enjoy it.

    All I'll say is that when Green was out of the game yesterday it was incredibly painful to watch our offense.

    We lose Green but will have Dawson, Harris, Costello, Valentine, Appling, Trice, Payne, Nix...

    I wouldn't be surprised if we are better next season if everyone plays the way they can. But I want to win it all this year first.

    What is that, a Titleist? A hole in one...

    Cosmo_Kramer

  • Its going to be Nix's team. He grew up in a hurry this year and I don't think anyone on the team loves Izzo more.

    GRR Spartan ●

  • GRR Spartan said...

    Its going to be Nix's team. He grew up in a hurry this year and I don't think anyone on the team loves Izzo more.

    Definitley, I remember Nix saying Tom Izzo is Michigan State, and he wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. Nix will be a good leader next year, also Trice, Appling, and Dawson will step up. It will be more leadership by committee. But one of those guys mentioned will step up and be a co captain with Nix.

    Jahlil Suggs ●

  • Cosmo_Kramer said...

    We lose Green but will have Dawson, Harris, Costello, Valentine, Appling, Trice, Payne, Nix...

    I wouldn't be surprised if we are better next season if everyone plays the way they can. But I want to win it all this year first.

    You forgot about Byrd, Gauna and Kaminsky.

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    Spartyshannon

  • I think Keith Appling has had a great season. He is a shut down defender and has outplayed many of the top point guards he's come up against. He's really improved with the dribble, he's extremely strong with the ball now and isn't phased by pressure defenses. His sot will come back, and he'll have plenty of talent around him next year. Nix and he will be the leaders, but this team is full of guys who have totally bought into MSU basketball.

    Johnny2x2x

  • Compare this year's team's experience level coming in with next year's team. We basically had Green and Appling as important contributers and one of those was someone who was going to need on the job training at the most conplicated position. Next year we will have four big contributers back - included one who will be by then an experienced point guard -who have been in the trenches together - plus two other sophs who have more than got their feet wet and know very well what is expected of them. We will be far less in need of the single focal point leadership that Green provided and is so critical to the team's success.

    Beastial

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