Spartans coach Tom Izzo says Jase Richardson and Kur Teng remind him of two MSU greats

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has drawn legendary Spartan parallels to freshmen guards Jason "Jase" Richardson and Kur Teng, comparing them with former stars Sam Vincent and Shawn Respert, respectively.

Izzo made the comparison during his meeting with the media that covered the Michigan State men's basketball beat. Spartan Mag posted the proceedings of the media day via YouTube on Friday.

The 69-year-old former champion coach expressed excitement about the two freshmen and expects Teng and Richardson to contribute to the Spartans in the 2024-25 college basketball season.

"Kur Tang is an interesting guy. He kind of reminds me of Shawn (Respert)," Izzo told media.

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"I was here when Sam Vincent was here and he could get in the lane and get a shot off and Jace has some of those qualities," he added

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Shawn Respert played for Michigan State from 1990-1995. Respert was the team's leading scorer in four seasons with the Spartans and was the second all-time scorer among Big Ten players with 2.531 points.

He was named a unanimous first-team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year after averaging 25.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals per game in the 1994-95 season. Respert tallied 21.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.2 spg in 119 games for Michigan State.

Sam Vincent was a Spartan from 1981 to 1985 and was a Sporting News All-American in 1985 after averaging 23.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He had career averages of 16.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.8 apg and 1.4 spg in 110 games for Michigan State.

Michigan State brings in three freshmen and two transfer pickups to solidify the team's composition going into the new season that will begin in November. The Spartans weren't included in the AP Preseason Top 25 but it received votes from media.

Izzo hopes the team will exceed expectations in the expanded Big Ten Conference that welcomed former Pac-12 Conference members Oregon, USC, UCLA and Washington.

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Tom Izzo sees an exciting season for Michigan State

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo views the 2024-25 Spartans roster as an exciting bunch. Every player has a new role and the transfer players fit in easily with the system.

Izzo pointed out returning players Jaden Akins, Trejuan Holloman and Carson Cooper have different roles this coming season to allow freshmen Teng, Richardson and Jesse McCulloch, as well as transfers Szymon Zapala and Frankie Fidler to fit in with his system as soon as possible.

"A lot of our people that were here just have new roles you know and Szymon and and Frankie um they fit in very well so far. I give credit to our players that are here. You have to embrace that," the veteran coach said.

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Michigan State had four exhibition games during the offseason to gauge its potential. They went to Spain in August to play with two Spanish selection teams and a Serbian ballclub.

The Spartans played Northern Michigan on Sunday and won 70-53, with Jase Richardson leading the offense with 11 points. Szymon Zapala led the team in rebounds with nine boards.

Michigan State concludes its tuneup games against Ferris State on Oct. 29 before starting its nonconference regular season against Monmouth on Nov. 4.

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