Eric Lacy
Report: Price to Delaware
Kendric Price, a former Michigan hoops reserve, has reportedly transfered to Delaware and is expected to play this upcoming seaosn or next, according to a Wilmington News Journal story today. The story can be found here. I'm a little surprised that Price, according to this report, wants to give basketball another shot. When he left, it was unclear if he wanted to continue playing. At the beginning of this past season, I remember him saying he wasn't sure what his role was on the team. At the time, he appeared at least somewhat frustrated about his playing career. I always thought, given his natural ability, that he could have competed with more desire. Tommy Amaker called Price's potential "enormous." But Price never seemed to live up to expectationis on the floor as a top-100 kind of player out of high school. But he is thought of as a high character kid and a good student, so hopefully this new situation will work out.
Here's Price's comments (via a U-M press release) after news early last season of the player's departure from the program: "After much thought throughout the fall and over the last few weeks, I feel that I need to step away. I am thankful for the opportunity that was given to me here at Michigan, but I am going to take some time to concentrate on my academic career and decide if I want to further pursue my playing career."
Eric Lacy
Darius Morris update
The Los Angeles area coach of 2009 UM hoops prospect Darius Morris believes the player will most likely commit to a school by Aug. 1, or possibly within the next two weeks. And Michigan, according to this coach, appears to remain in the lead for Morris' services. I spoke to Miguel Villegas, Morris' coach at Windward High School, and he told me late Wednesday that Michigan has made quite an impression on Morris, especially after his visit last weekend. "He said he loved what he saw out there," said Villegas of Morris' trip to Ann Arbor during coach John Beilein's team camp. "I think the coaching staff there has really done a great job with him." Morris is ranked as a 4-star prospect by Rivals.com and also earned the same ranking from Scout.com, which also ranks him the No.12 point guard nationwide. Some video of Morris can be found here and here. The recruitment of Morris should get very interesting in the next couple of weeks since July is the hardcore talent evaluation month for college coaches. Can Michigan stay in the lead and deliver one of the program's more highly recruited targets in recent memory? Only time will tell. Villegas told me that Morris is also being courted by Kentucky, Arizona, USC, Stanford, Washington State, South Florida and Marquette.
Eric Lacy
Full Crean Q and A
First-year Indiana coach Tom Crean, a Mount Pleasant native, vows to keep moving his new program forward after news last week athletic director Rick Greenspan will resign upon completion of the calendar year.
The former Marquette coach and Michigan State assistant, hired in April, lost 12 Hoosier players from last season's team and waits for the NCAA's ruling this summer or fall regarding penalties the school could face from recruiting violations under former coach Kelvin Sampson.
In an interview with The Detroit News, Crean talked about a number of topics including the challenges that face the Hoosiers, his relationship with Michigan State's Tom Izzo and what the future holds for the Indiana program.
Q: How have you been able to handle everything that's gone on with the Indiana program since your hiring in April?
A: "It's just a matter of having a vision and a blueprint for what the program is supposed to look like when it gets to where you wan it to be. We (as a staff) are trying to be as focused as we can be, as to what the long haul should be like. At the same time, you have to be aware of what the short-term process is like and deal with conflict and all the different things that coincide with that."
Q: Do you feel the need to make sweeping changes at Indiana, from the inner workings of the basketball office and recruiting to the product on the floor? Or are there still a lot of positive things in place, despite all the negative news the program has generated lately?
A: "I think it's an ongoing situation. Every situation is different, but what stays the same is how you are with people, how your program is viewed and how you maintain high standards. The standards (at Indiana) have been very, very high, very strong and it's been apparent over the years. The people that aren't in this program anymore didn't want to live up to those standards. That's fine, go somewhere else. I hope everything works out (for them). But we're certainly not going to get away from the standards of success you need to have. ...There are going to be mistakes, it's impossible to bat .1000 in anything you do. That's certainly the case when you take over a program in April and you have to put together basically a whole new team. But you really want people to understand that Indiana is an incredibly special kind of place."
Q: What are recruits saying about Indiana and what do they ask of you and the program knowing how things have transpired lately?
A: "They want to hear our plan. We have to really offset (the negatives). What I try to get across to people is the more negative things you read, the more negative things you hear from our opposition, the more you should be excited about Indiana. There are some that are very wishful that this program doesn't reach the heights that it enjoyed for so long. But it's (the heights) that are going to happen (again), it's inevitable. It's just a matter of when, because the program is so strong. The people that make up this university are strong, the former players are strong. How we're viewed nationally in the form of TV, scheduling and tournaments is very strong. It's a destination school."
Q: Knowing that you're still waiting to hear from the NCAA about a ruling regarding recruiting violations under former coach Kelvin Sampson and are expected to get a new athletic director next year, how do you set your priorities knowing the future is at least somewhat unclear?
A: "You have to have a vision of what you want the program to be, but you can't jump ahead. My list consists of what needs improvement, what's getting better and the musts, needs and wants of the program in regards recruiting, fundraising, etc. Any successful leader is going to wear a lot of different hats, but at the same time will delegate what needs to be delegated and trust the team that's around him. I don't think any other coach in college basketball is any different. It has to be that way. You have to keep everyone on track. What I've tried to do more than anything is to make sure people see my face. I have no lack of confidence in this job, I have no remorse (in taking the job), I have no discouragement. Disappointments are inevitable, but we're moving forward."
Q: How has Michigan State's Tom Izzo helped you through this challenging time at Indiana?
A: "Outside of my wife, he's my best friend. He would be the first to tell you, there's nothing that he's been through that resembles this. But he's supportive and has great ideas. I don't make many adult decisions without talking to him. Our friendship transcended basketball and competition a long time ago. He always picks the phone up. In this time, where others have really made an open attack on Indiana basketball, I know I never have to worry about that with Tom because of our friendship."
Q: What's the best advice Izzo has given you since you were hired at Indiana?
A: "I don't know if I can share one piece of advice he's given me. He's just a caring friend. There's not one thing I would not ask him for advice on. I'll put it that way. I really don't know if I have an answer to your question. I can't pinpoint the best thing he's told me because I listen to him all the time. I think he listens to me as well. We've had each other's backs for a long, long time. When someone identifies me as a Tom Izzo guy, that's a great compliment. When someone tells me that my Marquette teams played hard like Michigan State's and competed like Michigan State teams, that's also a great compliment."
Q: What will Indiana basketball look like under your watch?
A: "I want it to be a creative, fast-paced, disciplined unit that can execute under pressure. It's going to be a team that plays with great effort and plays with energy. I want people to get excited because they see how hard we're playing on the floor. I think we'll have to play a little different next year. We're obviously not going to be a very big team. We're in the process of formulating what next year's team is going to be like. I'm way behind, in the sense of how I would study the Big Ten. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to watch Indiana film from last season because most of the team isn't here anymore. But there will be time to study and try to really build the way we're going to play."
Q: What do you think about Izzo's Michigan State squad next season?
A: "He's got a very tough-minded, physical, fast and creative team. He's got guard play. He certainly has the forwards and is deep at every position. I would think they are going to be a national championship challenger just like they have been in the past."
Q: How did you take the news that Indiana athletic director, Rick Greenspan, will resign once the calendar year is over?
A: "I was devastated at first. What you do is rebound quickly and realize that in the face of turmoil like that, your leadership is counted on. People are counting on me here, and Rick (until the end of the year). I'm disappointed in a big way that (Rick and I) won't we working day to day, but I do believe that in the past three months, I've created a lifelong friendship with him. I have great appreciation for him and think he's been through an awful lot. I want to help him through these next six months at Indiana because I know he's trying to give us as a program every opportunity we can have to be successful. You can be disappointed, but you can't be discouraged. You have to move forward quickly and that's exactly what we're trying to do."
Q: How will this situation and Indiana help shape you as a coach and person?
A: "That's a good question. It's an ongoing process. That's something I really haven't been able to sit down and reflect on yet because of how crazy the lifestyle has been the last three months. What you learn is to treasure the friendships you have and refrain from trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. You trust your instincts as much as you can and surround yourself around people that can inspire you and that you can learn from. (St. Louis Cardinals manager) Tony La Russa is a good friend of mine and I had an opportunity to meet (Tigers manager) Jim Leyland in Detroit a couple of days ago (during the series between the two teams) and it was phenomenal. I've been a fan of both of them for a long, long time. Just to share conversations with people like that is an inspiring thing to me. When you get around coaches and leaders that can inspire you and share the kind of passion you have, there's really nothing like it. It's so easy to get busy in life, get so inundated that you forget the big picture."
Eric Lacy
Ballin' in Lansing
It's that time of year again for summer hoops and there's a great league going on in Lansing at Everett High School, 3900 Stabler. Former University of Detroit standout Desmond Ferguson, a CBA all-star, heads up the Moneyball Pro-Am. Games are Saturday and Sunday. Game times are 3 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. each weekend until Sunday, Aug. 10. The Moneyball Pro-Am's MySpace page with full team rosters and more information can be found here. Several Michigan State players are expected to play in this including Goran Suton, Chris Allen, Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Raymar Morgan and Draymond Green. There are also players representing Central Michigan, Oakland, Grand Valley, Alma, Albion, Saginaw Valley, Kalamazoo and Aquinas. Attendance appears to vary each weekend depending on who is in the area. There are also some surprise players that often show up, including former Spartans and Lansing legends. Wouldn't it be nice to see players representing all in-state colleges participate in one giant summer league somewhere? That would be something. Kudos to Ferguson as he appears to be doing a lot of positive things in my hometown. Ferguson, a Lansing native, even has his own line of sportswear, Moneyball.
Eric Lacy
MSU to play a 1-AA?
There's plenty of buzz in the Lansing/East Lansing area about Michigan State's 2009 football schedule. Contracts don't appear to be signed yet, for at least some of these games, but a schedule sent out to season ticket holders recently includes a home game against 1-AA Montana State on Sept 5. and a matchup against Western Michigan, Nov. 7 at Ford Field in Detroit. Remember, it's college athletics, so things can change. Talked to a Montana State official Monday morning and he couldn't confirm or deny that a game against MSU would take place. But he didn't sound shocked when told the game was promoted in an e-mail to MSU season ticket holders. Details are also unclear for a possible game at Ford Field against the Broncos. Stay tuned. Remember when there was all sorts of backlash a year ago about Michigan playing Appalachian State? Well, it doesn't appear that Montana State's program is among the 1-AA elite and championship caliber like the Mountaineers. The Spartans might be safe - if this game actually happens in 2009. The Bobcats were 6-5 last season, including a season-opening 38-7 loss at Texas A&M. The best win of the campaign was a 61-7 thumping of Dixie State.
Eric Lacy
Crean remains resilient
Caught up Friday afternoon with first-year Indiana coach Tom Crean and got a lot of interesting answers from him on a number of topics. The Mount Pleasant native and former Michigan State assistant maintains a positive attitude in Bloomington, despite continuous challenges with the IU program. News broke Thursday that Indiana athletic director Rick Greenspan will resign upon completion of the calendar year. Several players have left the program since Crean's hiring and the NCAA has yet to rule on recruiting violations that occurred under former coach Kelvin Sampson. There's definitely a lot going on Crean's life. The full Q and A with Crean will be up in the coming days. Here's a portion of it:
Q: What will Indiana basketball look like with you at the helm?
A: "I want it to be a creative, fast-paced, disciplined unit that can execute under pressure. It's going to be a team that plays with great effort and plays with energy. I want people to get excited because they see we're playing so hard on the floor. I think we'll have to play a little different next year. We're obviously not going to be a very big team. We're in the process of formulating what next year's team is going to be like. I'm way behind, in the sense of how I would study the Big Ten. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to watch Indiana film from last season because most of the team isn't here anymore. But there will be time to study, time to try and really build the way we're going to play."
Q: What do you think about Tom Izzo's Michigan State squad next season?
A: "He's got a very tough-minded, physical, fast and creative team. He's got guard play. He certainly has the forwards and is deep at every position. I would think they are going to be a national championship challenger, just like they have been in the past."
Q: How has Izzo helped you through this challenging time at Indiana?
A: "Outside of my wife, he's my best friend. He would be the first to tell you, there's nothing that he's been through that resembles this. But he's supportive and has great ideas. I don't make many adult decisions without talking to him. Our friendship transcended basketball and competition a long time ago. He always picks the phone up. In this time, where others have really made an open attack on Indiana basketball, I know I never have to worry about that with Tom because of our friendship."
Q: What's the best advice Izzo has given you since you were hired at Indiana?
A: I don't know if I can share one piece of advice he's given me. He's just a caring friend. There's not one thing I would not ask him for advice on. I'll put it that way. I really don't know if I have an answer to your question. I can't pinpoint the best thing he's told me because I listen to him all the time. I think he listens to me as well. We've had each other's backs for a long, long time. When someone identifies me as a Tom Izzo guy, that's a great compliment. When someone told me that my Marquette teams played hard like Michigan State and competed like Michigan State, that was a great compliment.
Q: What has your schedule been like on a daily basis? Do you spend more time on certain aspects of the program than you normally would?
A: "I think you have to stay as organized as possibe and have the flexibility to adjust to the changes that come. (Thursday), my staff and I were in basketball camp when we got word of (Greenspan's resignation). You better be flexible enough to know that great day you have planned will most likely change eight different ways. A lot of times it's been not being able to sit down on the desk till 8, 8:30, 9 o'clock at night to attack what really needs to be attacked or return calls. I'm way behind. You get so busy that it's hard to get everything done that you need to. You hope everyone can be patient while you're going through this. Now that the players are on campus and my family has moved (to Bloomington) in the last week, I try to make sure they are the priority every day."
Eric Lacy
Progress at U of D
Spent a little time Saturday afternoon with newly hired Detroit coach Ray McCallum, a former Indiana assistant under Kelvin Sampson. I came away very impressed with his efforts to resurrect Titan hoops. McCallum and his staff held a team camp at Calihan Hall over the weekend that featured some of the best young talent in the state. Teams included Detroit Country Day, Detroit Cody, Detroit King, Detroit Renaissance, Southfield, Saginaw Arthur Hill and U of D Jesuit. Lots of action, as there were three courts set up at Calihan and multiple games going on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Once camp concluded, some Titan players, including Mott Community College transfer Thomas Kennedy and Xavier Keeling (formerly of Indiana) had an open gym type of scrimmage. They both stood out as potential impact players that could cause some matchup problems in the Horizon League. Another player that commanded attention was Ray McCallum Jr., the coach's son and high school junior to be. McCallum Jr. is already getting evaluated by some of the top programs in the country. I definitely saw why. He's a pass-first guard with long arms and legs that gets to the hole, has a nice jumper and appears to have a real love for the game. Remember the name, as he'll most likely be attending Country Day or U of D Jesuit in the fall. As for McCallum Sr., he seems very happy with the support and fundraising he's already received from the university and fans. "I can't even tell you about the amount of money that has already come in," said the coach, smiling. There are plans at U of D to improve the locker rooms, offices and weight room. And there's clearly an effort to recruit harder than ever before and do a better job marketing the program. There is no reason why this school can't succeed in hoops. Fans should chalk up this past weekend as a major step in the right direction. Based on what I saw in the Titans' scrimmage, I really think U of D could be a surprise team. As for Eli Holman, another Indiana transfer, a Titans staffer told me he's "a dunking machine." Holman wasn't on campus for Saturday's open run. I expect a lot more positive reviews of the Titans in the future. There's a fairly active Web site for Titan hoops fans that I encourage readers to check out, Detroit Titan Hoops. Calihan is a great place to see a game. It would be nice to see it rock again after years of dormancy.Eric Lacy
Beilein, U of D team camp info
Just got some information from the basketball office about John Beilein's team camp for high school programs. Games will be played 6-9 p.m. Friday, June 27 and 10:15 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 28. Games will be played at Crisler Arena, the school's intramural facility and other places nearby. Beilein is scheduled to conduct a lecture from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Saturday, most likely at Crisler. Games are open to the public. Looking at the tentative list of teams scheduled to be at the camp there seems to be all sorts of areas covered in-state and beyond. In related news, Detroit and newly hired coach Ray McCallum will host a team camp this weekend at Calihan Hall, also open to the public. Games will be 4-8 p.m. Friday (mostly JV teams on this night), 9-3 Saturday and 10-3 Sunday. Each game will be two 20-minute halves with a running clock. One of the more intriguing matchups is 11 a.m. Saturday, Country Day vs. Cody. Country Day then plays Southfield at 1 p.m. Saturday. There's also a Country Day-Renaissance matchup 11 a.m. Sunday, too, along with Saginaw Arthur Hill-Southfield at the same time.
Eric Lacy
Crisler project appears low on donations
Through the Freedom of Information Act, I obtained some documents regarding Crisler Arena and a proposed basketball practice facility that's expected to have a price tag of about $20 million. Individual donations for the practice facility, according to information provided to me by UM, appear to be lacking. As of June 11, there were six donors that agreed to give anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000 each for a total of $1,513,000. There could be some private donors in the mix, but the documents given to me don't mention that. I should note there are other ways to fund the project, including a possible corporate sponsor, cash from Adidas and other sources. Michigan athletic director Bill Martin is willing to incur debt on the project, but it's unclear how much. The athletic department is in good financial shape, makes money and has the ability to borrow money and pay it back later. But I'm sure Martin would like to get more donations before he explores a number of funding ideas. An interesting note: Jalen Rose isn't listed as one of the six donors. This summer appears to be crucial for the future of the program, in terms of recruiting and fundraising so a practice facility can be built by 2010, followed by Crisler renovations in the years to come. It amazes me that one of the most recognizable institutions in the world, with an extremely successful athletic department, can't attract more donations for basketball. In my opinion, if people with the cash and power to make positive changes refuse to support the program, then they really shouldn't complain if the results don't meet their standards. Previous reports about the Crisler project can be found here and here.
Eric Lacy
MSU-Pistons connection
There won't be any "on" or "off" switches with the Pistons anymore now that Michael Curry is head coach, said Deon Curry, his son, who plays football at Michigan State.
"He's going to be a leader that has his players follow him toward a particular goal - an NBA championship," said Curry, a senior receiver for coach Mark Dantonio. "You will see hard work, more than anything, a team that doesn't quit and keeps going."
Deon Curry didn't know his father's hiring was official until he saw an ESPN news ticker earlier this week on a TV after an off-season workout on the East Lansing campus.
Once news broke, Curry's Spartan teammates didn't hesitate to make some requests.
"They were saying, 'Send me some money' and 'Get me some tickets," Curry said. "It's all in fun."
Deon Curry was never coached in any particular sport by his father, but has always sought his advice about mental and physical preparation for competition.
Curry knew his father had a chance to upgrade his job title with the Pistons, but still thought it was surreal to actually see it happen.
"I definitely knew there was a chance," said Curry, who wants to play NFL football. "Now he finally has the opportunity. I'm happy for him; it's something my dad has wanted to do for a long time."
Whether it was a 10-day NBA contract or the responsibility of heading up the league's players association, Michael Curry has always tried to lead by example.
And that's a quality that's made him a great father, Deon Curry said.
Curry attended Detroit Country Day, while his younger brother, Michael Curry Jr., attends Rochester Adams and was captain of its basketball team last season.
"He's just a role model for my brother and I, an example of how to do things and do them right," Deon Curry said.
LACY'S TAKE:
I couldn't agree more with Deon. I don't know Michael Curry all that well, but have played pickup ball with him several times. He's an extremely nice guy, but is tough and still has a fiery and competitive nature. He also can shoot the lights out, set solid screens and fire people up to play defense. There's no doubt in my mind he will be a great fit in the organization, especially with younger players. I just hope that his lack of head coaching experience doesn't pose any problems. An NBA locker room appears to be a place with a lot of complex personalities. It can't be easy to deal with everyone. The more I think about the Curry hire, though, the more I think it's a win-win situation for everyone. This is the kind of move that could help MSU recruiting. I'm sure Mark Dantonio is happy about the move. There's now a staunch supporter of the football program in the NBA spotlight.
