MSU basketball freshmen learning quickly: 'You have to go hard no matter what'

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

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

Team Faygo, which sports high-flying MSU sophomore Coen Carr and energetic freshman guard Jase Richardson, didn't have an answer for Teng, who scored a game-high 33 points and won numerous one-on-one battles with his classmate.

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

"It's been fun to compete in front of all these fans, just to get a quick taste of what's to come here 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 go at me just like I want to go at him."

For Teng, Richardson, and fellow freshman Jesse McCulloch, the transition from high school to college has been going smoothly. All three players will be looking to crack the rotation for MSU this season, and it starts with the summer work in the weight room and getting adjusted to coach Tom Izzo's rigorous practices.

For Richardson, MSU is a bit more familiar, due to the strong Spartan family connection with 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 up and just getting stronger," Richardson said. "And the camaraderie has been great, we already feel like a family. My dad's letting me do my own thing, but he checks in on me making sure I'm doing all the stuff I need to do to be successful. The practices have been tough, but I know Izzo is just getting us ready for the season. It's been really competitive."

Teng and McCulloch are still acclimating to life in East Lansing and the intensity and dedication necessary to play Big Ten basketball. But, there's one thing that's been ingrained in both newcomers early on — full speed, all the time.

"The pace and physicality is the biggest thing thus far, but the big men have taken me under their wings," McCulloch said. "I want to be a tough player, doing all the grimy stuff, stretching the floor. We (as a class) all know our roles and are going through it together. You have to go hard no matter what, take no plays off, and go as fast as possible."

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

The Moneyball Pro-Am will continue July 23 and July 25 with games tipping off at 6, 7, and 8 p.m. each night.

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