(EAST LANSING) - Michigan State added two more blue collar players to the fold when coach Tom Izzo got high school point guard Travis Walton of Lima, OH and shooting guard Maurice Joseph of Montreal, Canada to sign official letters of intent yesterday binding them to the University.
Izzo said that Walton "was the best defensive point guard" he's ever recruited while also praising Joseph as a player who can shoot it but "thinks defense is a big part of the game."
The signing of only the pair, without a premiere player in the class, was somewhat of a disappointment.
While Walton is highly regarded, Izzo did not land a superstar prospect for the first year since his arrival in East Lansing. Last year, MSU grabbed point guard Shannon Brown from Proviso East High School in Illinois. Brown will team with junior Paul Davis to form Michigan State's primary offensive options this season.
The Spartans apparently have decided to adopt the mantra that defense wins championships. It remains to be seen if Izzo can make this work at the collegiate level without much firepower offensively.
LOVE, CAMPBELL ARRESTED
Freshmen Terry Love and Irving Campbell were arrested and charged with making homemade bombs by East Lansing police. Both players were released on their own recognizance after posting $500 bail. Coach John L. Smith said he will let the legal process play out and then decide if additional disciplinary action is necessary.
The two players in question were spotted fleeing the scene of an small explosion near Spartan Village and a second bomb exploded minutes later. The explosions were small and no one was hurt. Police detonated a third homemade explosive device near the scene.
Both are expected to be available Saturday when the Spartans play #4 Wisconsin.