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Don't Fool Yourself About Reported Oregon Offer: Izzo Loves Such Attention
Don't think for a second Tom Izzo doesn't love the notion of Phil Knight and NIKE U offering him a boatload of money to move to the land where "Animal House" was filmed.
While an offer and actually accepting it are two very different things, Izzo loves such attention because it only solidifies his place on the bully pulpit in East Lansing.
Not that such power is necessarily a bad thing. Izzo doesn't tend to abuse it, but he does understand fully well how quickly the worm can turn in his profession. A couple mediocre years and it would be amazing how quickly the Final Four appearances will be forgotten. Izzo has gotten a dose of that in the past and expressed distaste for the "what have you done for me lately" aspect of his job.
But especially with the University of Michigan floundering athletically these days - including basketball - Izzo owns the recruiting pipe line in this state, which does feature some of the best high school basketball in the nation.
He can recruit nationally, too - and his type of players. Oregon is a bunch of flash - more about style than substance.
Izzo's style is substance. Doesn't seem like he'd fit well there.
Random Thoughts
- It's entirely possible the Pistons could end their season on a 17-game losing streak. Of their remaining nine games, only four are at home - all against teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. What a disaster. They can't even beat New Jersey. Wow.
- Lets see, center fielder Austin Jackson and second baseman Scott Sizemore have never played an inning in the major leagues, and pitchers Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson, Jeremy Bonderman and Joel Zumaya are all on the comeback trail - the Tigers will enter this season with anything but a settled roster.
My column in Monday's Oakland Press on Michigan State: http://tinyurl.com/y8wjjxo
While an offer and actually accepting it are two very different things, Izzo loves such attention because it only solidifies his place on the bully pulpit in East Lansing.
Not that such power is necessarily a bad thing. Izzo doesn't tend to abuse it, but he does understand fully well how quickly the worm can turn in his profession. A couple mediocre years and it would be amazing how quickly the Final Four appearances will be forgotten. Izzo has gotten a dose of that in the past and expressed distaste for the "what have you done for me lately" aspect of his job.
But especially with the University of Michigan floundering athletically these days - including basketball - Izzo owns the recruiting pipe line in this state, which does feature some of the best high school basketball in the nation.
He can recruit nationally, too - and his type of players. Oregon is a bunch of flash - more about style than substance.
Izzo's style is substance. Doesn't seem like he'd fit well there.
Random Thoughts
- It's entirely possible the Pistons could end their season on a 17-game losing streak. Of their remaining nine games, only four are at home - all against teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. What a disaster. They can't even beat New Jersey. Wow.
- Lets see, center fielder Austin Jackson and second baseman Scott Sizemore have never played an inning in the major leagues, and pitchers Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson, Jeremy Bonderman and Joel Zumaya are all on the comeback trail - the Tigers will enter this season with anything but a settled roster.
My column in Monday's Oakland Press on Michigan State: http://tinyurl.com/y8wjjxo
posted by Pat Caputo at
11:27 AM
9 Comments:
Pat,
This is a little off-topic, but it does involve Oregon so I'm curious as to what your opinion is. Over the weekend ESPN did an interview with Brittney Griner (the freak sized center from Baylor). I find it amazing that they are complimenting her on the change in her attitude since she broke that girls nose in a women's college bball game. How in the world are they able to spin this into a positive? This is the same network that was just brutal on Oregon's LeGarret Blount when he clocked the guy from Boise State? This does appear to be a double standard to me, and IMO what she did was far worse as she was MUCH bigger than the girl on to which she swung. Like I said, I'm just curious as to what your thoughts are?
Lil Rob
"Oregon is a bunch of flash - more about substance than style."
I think you meant the opposite.
Book,
As I understand it - The Bonderman / Willis decision is still unsettled.
Dombrowski's statement in the press yesterday that he is getting calls - mostly about pitching - would lead me to believe a pitcher / infeidler move may be happening - but to which side of second?
These guys have been waiting for Sizemore - and let Polanco go to make room for him. It would be the ultimate irony of this offseason id Mr. D. did a deal to move Sizemore somewhere else after all that's transpired.
But I don't think that's likely (which translates to probably already happened).
If I may - as an old SEC alumni - and I am just so blown away by the Spartan's ability to return to the final four - this tournament (I believe) is harder to win than the Stanley Cup.
Congrats MSU - and good luck.
lil Rob,
I think ESPN looks for ways to promote women's basketball. Networks and TV stations do that absurdly. If they are carrying something - it gets great coverage. If they aren't carrying it - sometimes you'd think it wasn't happening. Could be what's happening here. They carry college football - but so does everybody. Not women's college hoop.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
Yeah, the one and done aspect to the NCAA tournament makes it unique. So much pressure. MSU responds remarkably well to it.
Caputo
Pat I don't know how Tom Izzo does it? But, he's the man . I've heard him speak of his loyalty to MSU in a similar situation. I believed him. Dave
I think the way Izzo does it is to assess his strengths and weaknesses early in the season as they play a pretty tough schedule.
He then tries to hone the players to optimize.
And if ANY player is not on board, they are toast and had better correct and the others know it.
Although this year I was surprised that Izzo couldn't reduce the turnovers. I guess what he did was to weigh the turnovers vs. a fast transition that was necessary.
Great coach, worth every penny.
Dave,
I don't believe Izzo will go anywhere, either. But I do believe he likes such attention. Maybe he should. Does seem to solidify his place - as if it is needed.
Caputo
Anonymous,
I think a lot of the Spartans troubles were bred in their success last season. And Izzo made a lot of public outcries about it. It seems like that is part of his bigger plan for this time of the year.
Caputo
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