Austin Thornton doesnt know where his Michigan State journey will take him but you get the stamp he not in truth worried almost it.

Thornton, a 6-foot-5 direct, who chose to get the idea his daydream of mind a Spartan by walking on to the MSU team instead of accepting likely scholarships , saw his leading charge in the Moneyball Pro-Am summer league last week.

After his Moneyball debut, he on the order of his contemporary past and what he hopes is a bright future in a Spartan like.

It was a durable determination because there were 25 other I have been at as a and truly, (there were) four schools (Drake, Kent State, Western Kentucky and Butler) that were in the NCAA Tournament last year that wanted me to play for them sweet bad, Thornton said. It was a little stern watching that but Im exceptionally happy with my resolve because after long negotiations with the here, they convinced me that in the long run it was current to charity performance me and help me. Im with one of the best in the country (and) real close to home, so it was a good possibility for me.

Thornton, who last season, had a closed essential Moneyball junket with 13 points and eight rebounds as a extremity of the White team.

I just want to get a good run, Thornton said in the region of participating in Moneyball league play that also saw Mike Kebler show up for a 10-point day out with the Navy Blue team. Obviously, its not the competition of the Big Ten neck and neck or anything like that but the guys here can play.

While his performance may not have wan the interest or rave reviews that outings by additional Spartans like Travis Walton, Durrell Summers and Chris Allen have gotten, you cant help but pull for the earlier Cedar Springs High School standout who promised to be more of a phantom during the leagues ending three weeks of play.

With no fast worries just about his role in Tom Izzos 2008-09 arsenal, his rank as a knowledge actor or how much playing time he can get, Thornton said he just requirements to have an opportunity to show yourself those wrong who may have questioned his decisiveness to walk-on at a program laden with gifted .

For me every single piece of the game (is what Im working on), Thornton said. Obviously, until you get to the highest parallel with the ground you have to keep on working. Strength and ball-supervision are two things that will help get me on the Supreme Court (at MSU). Playing time ready to be narrow this year because we have a very deep team, a very good team.

Thornton, whose game appeared to get stronger as his White team past the Purple group, 97-49 last Sunday, looked like that guy every one team needs. The guy whos disposed to do anything to help his teammates become and hang around successful.

A commendable sacrifice for a juvenile man, who is the progenitor of a near two-year old boy named Carson and who legitimate excitement not far off just core able to compete in more summer league meet before the season terminated.

I go home most to see the little man, to see the baby but I have a car now so I will be able to get back and forth. So I will be playing on more weekends, Thornton said. And certainly the little man had a role to play (in) that (pronouncement to come to MSU) because I didnt want to be far away.

For Thornton, his future at MSU exceedingly is just nearly in good health and good enough to cause, even if that revenue he not once becomes a star at Breslin Center.

I was very glad that I redshirted last year. I could have played a little bit last year but I dont weigh up substantially I was very ready for the game, he said in reconsideration. Ive put a year of growth and power on. Im 205 now. I came in at 180. So now, Im a little more materially ready, as far as existing through the tedium of a sound season.

Its a huge change, so mentally it was good for me to take a year and get used to it. As far as this year, well see. Who whats untaken to crop up. I just have to play hard, work hard and see what happens.

LITTLE BIG MAN: While the Moneyball league is commonly considered a summer league dominated by its bouncer play, theres one community security who his way into the hearts of the interview.

Ben Jerome, a 5-6 high-grade-to-be at Kalamazoo College, which makes up the leagues Orange team, is of the order of as persistent and heartfelt as the summer leagues more loud . And what he in talent, he more than makes up for with his resolution.

With an capacity to pop the 3 from way out but with the resolution to initiative the lane against players six to seven inches taller, the prior Bath Bees protection is gaining a trusty and very reassuring following.

Last week, Jerome, who has the like The Captain and The Little General, had his best game of the summer league with an impressive 34-point functioning despite his teams 101-77 loss to Team Black, which MSUs Chris Allen. Jeromes 34 eclipsed Allens 30-point day.

The biggest differentiation is the hustle of the game and the chunk of the defenders, Jerome said comparing MIAA play to Big Ten or even mid-major competition. But ( like I did) is just a confidence matter. It makes you feel good to know that youre not as far off as you influence contemplate when you see guys on TV.

Jerome, who started 24 sports for K-zoo last year, averaging 5.7 points, 2.8 and 1.8 rebounds, is part of a Hornets team that will feature a good number of players with resident ties this upcoming season.

Ryan Clark (Leslie), Tyler Stewart (Okemos), and Jeff Hollenbeck and Alex Lapka (East Lansing) will all be s for Kalamazoo this season as the Hornets try and touch up on a second-rate finish last season that saw the team finish 6-19 overall and with just three wins in MIAA play.

BEST KEPT SECRET: One of the best in the GLIAC this upcoming season may be name whos brought oohs and aahs to the Everett H.S. this summer.

Quentin Patin, a high-hovering 6-2 firing picket, by way of Baton Rouge, La. and Milwaukee, is on his way to Saginaw Valley after earning contestant of the year honors as a sophomore for Mike Ingrams Lansing Community College set.

Patin, nicknamed Roo, short for kangaroo, has 20 or more points in all Moneyball Pro-Am game hes for the leagues White team all the while the attendees with spectacular dunks and eye- power, that includes good assortment on his athlete, gift and strong defense when needed.

After spending some time in Kuwait in the armed, Patin returned enrolled at Toledo, where he fast helpers with Justin Ingram. After things didnt work out with the Rockets, Patin transferred to LCC, where he played for Justin Ingrams pastor Mike last season, league MVP in MCCAA play.

And yes, his last name is pronounced like the general George S., and he was an Army specialist while stationed in the Middle East.

Hell be associated at Saginaw Valley next season by a further local fortification who at LCC Ron Ferguson and one more product of Bath High School Eli Redmon.

Roo and Ferg, theyre just actual basketball players, said Redmon, who at Western Michigan, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Oakland, Grand Valley Hillsdale. The last few ages (Saginaw Valley) has been down but with the incoming freshmen and the incoming (relocation) , this team is just available to invalidate. Weve got a good shot this year at doing some damage in the (GLIAC). If you can compete with these Big Ten players, the State , you can compete with everybody.

LEAGUE STANDINGS: With two weeks left in the systematic season before the Aug. 9-10 playoffs, here are the Moneyball Pro-Am standings: Baby Blue 8-2, Navy Blue 8-2, White 8-2, Royal Blue 6-4, Black 4-6, Purple 4-6, Green 1-9, Orange 1-9

Saturday and Sundays Week 6 Games initiation at 3 p.m. with the last of the days cup instigation at 6:45 p.m.

Posted on July 27th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: College basketball news