MSU basketball freshmen learning quickly: ‘You have to try hard no matter what’

HOLT – Kur Teng was all over the court in Thursday’s first Moneyball Pro-Am game.

The Michigan State basketball freshman was driving the lane, forcing turnovers and knocking down 3-pointers in his Team Goodfellas victory over Team Fayg at Holt High School.

The Faygo team, which features MSU sophomore Coen Carr and energetic freshman guard Jase Richardson, had no answer for Teng, who scored a game-high 33 points and won numerous one-on-one battles with his classmate.

Afterward, Teng stopped and autographed basketballs, jerseys, hats and collectibles for a gaggle of MSU fans who flocked to him before he could enter the locker room.

“It’s been fun competing in front of all these fans, just to get a quick idea of ​​what’s coming up in the season,” Teng said. “The best part is competing against your friends, so this game against my guy Jase was a lot of fun. He wants to attack me just like I want to attack him.”

For Teng, Richardson and fellow freshman Jesse McCulloch, the transition from high school to college has been seamless. All three players will try to crack MSU’s rotation this season, and that starts with summer work in the weight room and adapting to coach Tom Izzo’s rigorous workouts.

For Richardson, MSU is a little more family-friendly, given the Spartan family’s strong connection to his father, Jason, who played 14 seasons in the NBA after playing two at MSU under Izzo from 1999-2001.

“I’m building my body and getting stronger,” Richardson said. “And the camaraderie has been great, we already feel like a family. My dad is letting me do my own thing, but he checks in on me to make sure I’m doing everything I need to be successful. It was tough, but I know Izzo is just getting us ready for the season. He’s been very competitive.”

Teng and McCulloch are still getting used to life in East Lansing and the intensity and dedication required to play Big Ten basketball. But there’s one thing that has been ingrained in both newcomers from the start: maximum speed, all the time.

“Pace and physicality are the most important so far, but the big men have taken me under their wings,” McCulloch said. “I want to be a tough player, doing all the dirty things, stretching the court. We all (as a class) know our roles and we’re going through this together. You have to try hard no matter what, not make plays, and go as quickly as possible.”

All three freshmen are in the top 10 in Moneyball Pro-Am points, making a good first impression for the MSU fans in attendance. Richardson leads the way with 25.2 points per game, while Teng averages 20.3 and McCulloch has 19.5. Teng leads freshmen in 3-pointers made with 12.

The Moneyball Pro-Am will continue on July 23rd and 25th, with games starting at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm each night.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott

This article originally appeared in the Lansing State Journal: Freshmen taking MSU crash course: ‘You have to try hard no matter what’