Malik

[msstate7]

I've been very critical of his game, but I did like seeing him drive much more last night. If we can convince him to come back, I think a lot of those missed layups will be baskets after an offseason of conditioning. Needs to get better defensively and finishing at the basket in traffic though... Hopefully he decides to come back

[archdog]

he has been playing better defense since we switched primarily to man. he needs to be attacking the rim. just his layouts end up misses due to him not getting open like he is used to.

[louisvilledawg]

Wish he would just dunk the hell out of the ball instead of going lefty layup. Send it in jerome!

[Statefan]

An offseason where he is healthy and able to focus on developing at point guard would be great too

[fishwater99]

Wish he would just dunk the hell out of the ball instead of going lefty layup. Send it in jerome!

This!!!

[BulldogBacker]

I've been very critical of his game, but I did like seeing him drive much more last night. If we can convince him to come back, I think a lot of those missed layups will be baskets after an offseason of conditioning. Needs to get better defensively and finishing at the basket in traffic though... Hopefully he decides to come back

He has not been completely healthy all year. He is about 6-3 1/2 and weighs maybe 175. He needs to be 190. Gaining good weight will also help with in-game injuries. He needs to come back and be the player his potential says he can be.

[msstate7]

If Malik does return, does peters redshirt? Got to assume if Malik returns, it will be to play the 1 and improve draft stock. Ready will be back, so where does peters fit in?

[Thrill1]

If Malik does return, does peters redshirt? Got to assume if Malik returns, it will be to play the 1 and improve draft stock. Ready will be back, so where does peters fit in?

Uh, no.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

If Malik does return, does peters redshirt? Got to assume if Malik returns, it will be to play the 1 and improve draft stock. Ready will be back, so where does peters fit in?

No

[Cowboydawg]

He needs to work on his left hand. If you pay attention, nearly all of his misses when he drives to the basket are with his left. He actually finishes pretty strong with his right.

[Big4Dawg]

Redshirting in basketball is extremely rare, unless it's injury related or the player is very very very raw.

[msstate7]

So, where do you guys see peters fitting in if Malik and ready are back? Malik to 2?

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Howland's job is to win games for MSU. For MSU Malik's best spot is the 2 & IJ & Peters will play the 1.

[Big4Dawg]

I still think Malik will play the PG, seems to be that's what Howland promised him and I'd rather Howland keep promises. Ready could see the writing on the wall and leave as well.

[HoopsDawg]

Howland's job is to win games for MSU. For MSU Malik's best spot is the 2 & IJ & Peters will play the 1.

Ready/Peters, Malik and Spoon will give us a really good 3 guard lineup. The improvement next year will have to come from the 4 spot. We can go small with Stapleton/Kegler or big if Holman can make a big jump. Herard and Ado will give us a couple of rim protectors that we don't really have this year. We need to make the tourney next year.

[Big4Dawg]

Ready/Peters, Malik and Spoon will give us a really good 3 guard lineup. The improvement next year will have to come from the 4 spot. We can go small with Stapleton/Kegler or big if Holman can make a big jump. Herard and Ado will give us a couple of rim protectors that we don't really have this year. We need to make the tourney next year.

Speaking of Holman, why did he only play 9 minutes last night? Zuppardo even played more minutes than him.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Ready/Peters, Malik and Spoon will give us a really good 3 guard lineup. The improvement next year will have to come from the 4 spot. We can go small with Stapleton/Kegler or big if Holman can make a big jump. Herard and Ado will give us a couple of rim protectors that we don't really have this year. We need to make the tourney next year.

If Kegler would embrace the stretch 4 role he'd be great at it. That's his best position. I understand why he wants to play the 3 because that's what he is in the league but he's going to have to get in great shape & lose about 10-15lbs to do that.

[msstate7]

Howland's job is to win games for MSU. For MSU Malik's best spot is the 2 & IJ & Peters will play the 1.

This I agree with, but Howland is starting Malik at the 1 now even though ready is better

[Ifyouonlyknew]

This I agree with, but Howland is starting Malik at the 1 now even though ready is better

That's more because Ready is hurt & doesn't practice.

[msstate7]

That's more because Ready is hurt & doesn't practice.

Oh ok

[HSVDawg]

If Malik does return, does peters redshirt? Got to assume if Malik returns, it will be to play the 1 and improve draft stock. Ready will be back, so where does peters fit in?

No way. Peters should be getting an absolute minimum of 20 minutes per game at the point, and should probably start. Malik can play the point when he is on the bench and in certain sets, but there is no way we have our best 5 out there if Peters isn't playing point.

[fishwater99]

No way. Peters should be getting an absolute minimum of 20 minutes per game at the point, and should probably start. Malik can play the point when he is on the bench and in certain sets, but there is no way we have our best 5 out there if Peters isn't playing point.

So a freshman in Peters is better than a Senior in Ready. I haven't seen Peters play, but he sounds like an All-American..

[Big4Dawg]

So a freshman in Peters is better than a Senior in Ready. I haven't seen Peters play, but he sounds like an All-American..

Q is better than Sword and Thomas right now, and isn't an All-American. Why can't Peters be better than Ready?

[HSVDawg]

If Kegler would embrace the stretch 4 role he'd be great at it. That's his best position. I understand why he wants to play the 3 because that's what he is in the league but he's going to have to get in great shape & lose about 10-15lbs to do that.

Agree. I'd love to see this lineup next year:

PG - Peters. Backup PG Malik
SG - Malik. Backup SG's - Spoon, Wright
SF - Spoon. Backup SF's - Keglar, Stapleton
PF - Keglar. Backup PF's - Holman, Ado
C - Herard. Backup C - Ado

That is a 9-deep lineup that is very versatile. Many guys are capable of playing 2 or even 3 positions.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

No way. Peters should be getting an absolute minimum of 20 minutes per game at the point, and should probably start. Malik can play the point when he is on the bench and in certain sets, but there is no way we have our best 5 out there if Peters isn't playing point.

Lamar's biggest adjustment is going to be running a team. Right now he has free reign to do whatever he wants & shoot from wherever he wants. There's not a lot of structure to their offense. He plays an awful lot like Malik at Calloway. How quick he can grasp running an offense & being a general on the floor will determine the amount of minutes he get.

[HSVDawg]

So a freshman in Peters is better than a Senior in Ready. I haven't seen Peters play, but he sounds like an All-American..

Peters is 100% better than Ready as a PG right now. I expect some growing pains from him as far as finding his outside shooting at the college level and perhaps finishing around the basket as well (similar to Malik this year), but he has the best handles and passing ability of anyone that will be on the roster next year.

[fishwater99]

Peters is 100% better than Ready as a PG right now. I expect some growing pains from him as far as finding his outside shooting at the college level and perhaps finishing around the basket as well (similar to Malik this year), but he has the best handles and passing ability of anyone that will be on the roster next year.

That is some great news....

[Big4Dawg]

Agree. I'd love to see this lineup next year:

PG - Peters. Backup PG Malik
SG - Malik. Backup SG's - Spoon, Wright
SF - Spoon. Backup SF's - Keglar, Stapleton
PF - Keglar. Backup PF's - Holman, Ado
C - Herard. Backup C - Ado

That is a 9-deep lineup that is very versatile. Many guys are capable of playing 2 or even 3 positions.

You forgot Carter as well.

This is how i see it playing out:

PG - Malik. Backup PG Peter, Ready?, Carter
SG - Spoon. Backup SG's - Wright, Carter
SF - Keglar. Backup SF's - Stapleton, Wright
PF - Holman. Backup PF's - JUCO/Transfer, Keglar
C - Herard. Backup C - Ado

10/11 deep, depending on Ready/who we sign.

[HSVDawg]

Lamar's biggest adjustment is going to be running a team. Right now he has free reign to do whatever he wants & shoot from wherever he wants. There's not a lot of structure to their offense. He plays an awful lot like Malik at Calloway. How quick he can grasp running an offense & being a general on the floor will determine the amount of minutes he get.

Agree with what you are saying, but from a raw skills perspective I think he has more tools than Malik does as far as playing PG. Hopefully, he makes a quick adjustment. Time will tell. Either way, he still needs minutes and should not redshirt in any scenario.

[HSVDawg]

You forgot Carter as well.

This is how i see it playing out:

PG - Malik. Backup PG Peter, Ready?, Carter
SG - Spoon. Backup SG's - Wright, Carter
SF - Keglar. Backup SF's - Stapleton, Wright
PF - Holman. Backup PF's - JUCO/Transfer, Keglar
C - Herard. Backup C - Ado

10/11 deep, depending on Ready/who we sign.

Not really opposed to this lineup either. However, I don't really see 10 or 11 guys getting significant minutes. I like Carter but I think he'll need an adjustment year mainly just to get bigger. He'll have a bigger role in 2018 after Malik leaves. Or course, if Malik leaves this year, he has an early opportunity.

[msstate7]

Q is better than Sword and Thomas right now, and isn't an All-American. Why can't Peters be better than Ready?
I hope peters is way better than ready, but I'll wait and see. Malik was supposedly much better than ready too, but Malik hasn't been. I was one of the main guys saying Malik would be much better than ready, but I was wrong

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Agree with what you are saying, but from a raw skills perspective I think he has more tools than Malik does as far as playing PG. Hopefully, he makes a quick adjustment. Time will tell. Either way, he still needs minutes and should not redshirt in any scenario.

His PG skills are definitely better than Malik's that's no question. His ball handling is grade A. A few things he has to work on is his finishing with his right hand. He always seems to come back to his left. Also his defense needs improvement. I think he can be a solid defender because he's super quick it's all about effort & want to. Finally he has to add some weight to his frame. Everybody always mentions IJ's weight well Peters is the same size just has a couple inches on him. Lamar is going to be very very good at MSU I just hope fans will give him a chance to grow & not expect the world his 1st year.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

You forgot Carter as well.

This is how i see it playing out:

PG - Malik. Backup PG Peter, Ready?, Carter
SG - Spoon. Backup SG's - Wright, Carter
SF - Keglar. Backup SF's - Stapleton, Wright
PF - Holman. Backup PF's - JUCO/Transfer, Keglar
C - Herard. Backup C - Ado

10/11 deep, depending on Ready/who we sign.

Only way I see 10/11 guys getting consistent minutes is if we go to a more uptempo style defense where we're trapping & pressing most of the game. It's just hard to get that many guys quality minutes.

[louisvilledawg]

Speaking of Holman, why did he only play 9 minutes last night? Zuppardo even played more minutes than him.

May have had something to do with back to back turnovers. Idk. he didn't look too great in the minutes he played.

[Johnson85]

Only way I see 10/11 guys getting consistent minutes is if we go to a more uptempo style defense where we're trapping & pressing most of the game. It's just hard to get that many guys quality minutes.

Has Howland ever done that in the past? As hard as it is to believe considering where we were for the last 4 years and considering we have what, 5 seniors leaving (Ware, Zuppardo, Daniels, Thomas, Sword), we could actually have a log jam next year if Malik comes back and going uptemp might make it easier to keep everybody happy.

If Malik comes back, Malik, Weatherspoon, and Holman are all clearly going to have a significant part to play next year. Herard and Ado will presumably have to play just because we need centers.

I'm thinking that Peters, Keglar, and Wright are all highly rated enough taht they are expecting playing time as freshmen? That's an eight man rotation right there without Ready and without Stapleton or Carter.

I guess if both Herard and Ado aren't ready and we end up playing a lot of small ball, that will open up a lot of minutes.

[Big4Dawg]

Carter is actually rated higher than Wright.

[HoopsDawg]

Not really opposed to this lineup either. However, I don't really see 10 or 11 guys getting significant minutes. I like Carter but I think he'll need an adjustment year mainly just to get bigger. He'll have a bigger role in 2018 after Malik leaves. Or course, if Malik leaves this year, he has an early opportunity.

If you play more than 8, you usually aren't very good. The best teams play 8 players unless we full court press the whole game.

Also, don't get so caught up in who is the PG. Howland has said many times he likes having 2 PG's in at the same time like Westbrook and Collison at UCLA.

[HoopsDawg]

Carter is actually rated higher than Wright.

Carter could redshirt b/c he only weighs about 155 lbs. He can really shoot it though.

[djaymsu5]

Howland's job is to win games for MSU. For MSU Malik's best spot is the 2 & IJ & Peters will play the 1.

This^^ I think Malik can be a hell of a slasher for us like Sword but better when he gets his confidence up. Malik needs to practice all offseason of coming off of ball screens and catching and shooting like Fisher-Davis from Vandy was doing. Malik is a shooter and when he gets warmed up can be lethal. His catch and shoot shots lately have been bad off. That and driving more would be my main two goals for Malik and occasionally running the point but Peters and Ready will be much better at the point than Malik. Also agree on him getting his weight up and more conditioned. I think Malik Q and Holman will all look better next year after being thrown to the fire and having experience and confidence under their belt. They will be the leaders of the team next year. Q is already a beast so I know he will be strong next year.

[djaymsu5]

Carter could redshirt b/c he only weighs about 155 lbs. He can really shoot it though.

Yes Carter is going to be that go to guy when we need a 3. That kid can flat out shoot. We have been needing this desperately. I am hoping he is like Shane Power automatic!

[the59dawg]

Q is better than Sword and Thomas right now, and isn't an All-American. Why can't Peters be better than Ready?

Big reason is Ready doesn't play defense!

[Dawg61]

Those of you (Big4Dawg) wishing Ready to transfer need to rethink that wish. Ready will be a senior PG with a ton of experience that suddenly has eight new toys to distribute the ball to. He can be a very valuable player for us next year. I hope he realizes this and stays. He'll get to taste the dance if he does.

[Big4Dawg]

Those of you (Big4Dawg) wishing Ready to transfer need to rethink that wish. Ready will be a senior PG with a ton of experience that suddenly has eight new toys to distribute the ball to. He can be a very valuable player for us next year. I hope he realizes this and stays. He'll get to taste the dance if he does.

Never did I say I wish he would, just saying it's a possibility

[Dawg61]

Never did I say I wish he would, just saying it's a possibility

Lol you plant the seed you help it to grow. Ready hasn't once made mention of possibly looking elsewhere. Why put question marks behind his name unless you're wishing it to happen? Not bashing you Big you're a good poster I've just noticed when people start doing this is when you end up seeing it come to fruition. I want Ready to stay. He doesn't deserve question marks behind his name.