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Welcome to The Final Four Is Not on the Schedule discussion board. A forum for the serious and casual MSU fan. Opinions welcome – stay respectful.
I believe the team’s captains are especially influential. I would be curious what an analysis of our captains would reflect on their team’s success would reflect. I believe every FF team MSU had got there due to especially effective captains.
2001-2002 Anagonye, Ballinger, and Taylor: eliminated in 1st round
2002-2003 Anagonye and Ballinger: Elite 8
2003-2004 Anderson, Torbert, Andreas: eliminated in first round
2004-2005 Anderson, Torbert, Hill, Brograkas: eliminated in first round
2005-2006 Davis, Brown, Rowley, Ager: eliminated in first round
06-07 Neitzel, Walton: second round
07-08 Neitzel, Walton: Sweet 16
08-09 Lucas, Walton: lost in Championship Final
09-10 Dahlman, Green, Morgan, Lucas: Final Four
10-11 Lucas, Green: lost first game of tournament but 2nd round
11-12 Green, Thornton: Sweet 16
12-13 Appling, Byrd, Nix: Sweet 16
13-14 No captains named (despite Appling being one last year): Elite 8
14-15 Dawson, Trice, Valentine: Final Four
15-16 Valentine, Nairn, Costello: lost first game of tournament
16-17 Rawls and Eron Harris: lost second game of tournament
17-18 Nairn and Bridges: lost second game of tournament
18-19 McQuaid, Langford: Final Four
19-20 Winston, Tillman, Langford, Ahrens: no tournament due to Covid
20-21 No captains: lost in first round
21-22 Brown, Hall: lost second game in tournament
I would imagine Hall will repeat. Who will join him? Most would assume Hoggard and I do hope that’s the case.
For the most part, it seems when we have a final four team, we have very good leaders, like Green, Walton, or Winston and Tillman (although McQuaid and Langford were the selected captains, I felt like on the floor these two were really leading the team). These players weren’t just good players but they were also very savvy. For instance, I think one reason Green, Walton, and Tillman could defend PGs and PFs was not just because of their athleticism but because of their deep understanding of the game. They seem to bark instructions to their teammates to keep them in line or to get them into position. I think Hoggard might have some of that in him, but I am not sure Hall does. I like Hall, but I am not sure I see him as a leader like I see Green, Walton, and Tillman.
Hoggard seems most likely, but based on past comments I would expect Izzo to really make him earn it and prove that he's cleaned up some of his previous issues. Don't really see many other options, if it's not Hoggard they may just go with 1. Not really Walker or Hauser's personality, are Brooks or Akins leader types? They didn't come across that way, but also were in smaller roles. And then you're basically at the incoming frosh, I haven't heard about them as Tum or Day Day type leaders.
Hall, Hoggard, and maybe Hauser would be my guess.
@hazelmotes I don’t disagree re Malik but he’s a returning captain and thus will almost certainly be one again.
I agree with most of what has been said so far. I will add that if Aikens is chosen as a captain, I would view that as a very positive development. If he is not a captain, no big deal.
But if he is, that could be huge.