Canton
College basketball: Morgan prepares for his debut
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
By
Chris Beaven REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
Do not expect Raymar Morgan to take the floor tonight thinking like a freshman during his Michigan State University basketball debut. "Coach tells me he can't treat me like a freshman, so that's how I'll look at it," the McKinley High School graduate said.
"I'm just going to play my game and get better each day."
Morgan made the most of his first preseason as a Spartan. The 6-foot-7 forward is establishing himself as an invaluable member of one of the nation's elite programs.
He will start tonight when the Spartans open the season at home against Brown in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic.
"I'm probably not going to tell him he's a freshman very often, because we do need him," Head Coach Tom Izzo told the Associated Press.
With their top three players from a year ago in the NBA, the Spartans are looking to reload in a hurry to maintain their run of nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances. If they extend that streak to 10, Morgan likely will play a key role.
"He's a great athlete, he gives us athleticism and versatility on the wing," junior guard Drew Neitzel said during last month's media day. "He posts up really well for being a freshman. He can go inside and outside. He's still working on consistency with his jump shot, but he's going to give us the Maurice Ager athleticism on the wing."
Ager starred at MSU last season. He is an NBA rookie with the Mavericks.
When Morgan missed Michigan State's first exhibition game with a shoulder sprain, the Spartans struggled to beat Grand Valley State, 61-57. He returned to action Sunday and came up with 16 points and 12 rebounds in a 74-63 win over Northern Michigan.
"Coach told me you have to come out and play well in your debut," said Morgan, who is developing a good rapport with Izzo.
"Coach is a different kind of breed. He's very intense and very competitive."
Morgan, though, sees similarities between Izzo and his former McKinley coach, Dave Hoover.
"He cares about all the guys on the team. He loves each player," Morgan said. "There's a lot of similarities actually. They're both very intense and competitive. But I think Coach Izzo has to be a little harder (on guys)."
Morgan is eager for tonight's opener. "I'm anxious and excited, and a little bit nervous, but not much," he said. "I'm just ready to play against Brown and just get more of a feel for the game.
Morgan is learning to handle the physical demands of major college basketball.
"The guys are much faster and stronger," Morgan said. "To get your shot off you have to play smarter and play within your game."
Morgan dominated as a senior at McKinley last season, averaging 24.4 points and 9.0 rebounds. He led the Bulldogs to a second straight Division I state title, became the school's career scoring leader, and earned Parade Magazine fourth-team All-America honors.
He realizes his responsibilities at Michigan State will change from game to game.
"I'm just doing what the team needs me to do to get the win," Morgan said. "We don't have a main scorer. Drew Neitzel might be the best scorer. But whatever the team needs to win, rebounding or do the little stuff, I'll do it."
Neitzel, a junior, has started the last two seasons at point guard, helping the Spartans reach the Final Four as a freshman. MSU's other top returnees are sophomore guard Travis Walton from Lima and 6-10 sophomore Goran Suton. Morgan is a member of a well-regarded recruiting class that also features 6-6 Isaiah Dahlman and 7-0 Tom Herzog.
"I think we can shock people," Morgan said. "A lot of people are underestimating us. We want to get better, and we're definitely confident in ourselves."
