Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • C3

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$5 off! 18 holes cart 1523 e. cesar chavez ave. lansing, mi 48906 Ever see a number on a Michigan State football jersey and think of all the great players to wear it? Me, too. In this daily series, give you my take on which Spartan football player was the best ever to wear each number. The criteria are simple: How did he perform at MSU? And what kind of impact did he have on the program? No.

48 Percy Snow Linebacker, 1986-89, Canton, Ohio 1986: 5 solo tackles, 5 assisted, 10 total tackles 1987: 76 solo tackles, 51 assisted, 127 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, interception 1988: 97 solo tackles, 67 assisted, 164 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, intercep- tion 1989: 98 solo tackles, 74 assisted, 172 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions Total: 276 solo tackles, 197 assisted, 473 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 6 interceptions Why Snow? When Percy Snow hit you, you knew it. The second-leading tackler in Michi- gan State history, Snow amassed 473 tackles during his four-year career, in- cluding 463 in his three seasons. Those numbers earned Snow a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. In 1989, Snow was a All- American selection (twice) after racking up a Big-Ten best 172 tackles. Snow was also the player in college football his- tory to win both the Lombardi and But- kus awards as the top lineman and line- backer, respectively, in the nation.

He also eighth in the Heisman vot- ing that season. During his senior cam- paign, Snow recorded 11 double-digit tackle games, including 23 against Illi- nois. That number remains the most by a Spartan since the 1970s. Snow was the defensive face of the George Perles era, leading the Big top unit for three straight seasons. His hard-hitting, swarming style helped lead the Spartans to a combined record of 29-16-2 during his career, including appearances in the Rose Bowl (Snow was named MVP in the 22-14 win over USC), Gator Bowl and Aloha Bowl.

Who else wore No. 48? Eric Andino 2004-07), Co- rey Baker 1993-94), Gerald Breen (HB, 1929-30), Wilford Davis (QB, 1939-41), James Earley (FB, 1974-77), Ty Hamilton (FB, 2013), Nathaniel Hannah (CB, 1980-83), Robert Lange (LB, 1967), John Martin (DE, 1972), Seth Mitchell (LB, 2002-03), Gary Parmentier DG, 1968-70), Herbert Speerstra 1944-48), Drew Stevens 2009- 11), Ray Vogt (HB, 1950-52) Snow was a big hit for the Spartans Percy Snow, here in the Gator Bowl at the end of the 1988 season, recorded 463 tackles over his three seasons at MSU. LSJ FILE Cody J. Tucker Lansing State Journal USA TODAY NETWORK MICHIGAN straight seasons without a postseason appearance. been only one ap- pearance since Gores purchased the team for $325 million in June 2011.

But the defensive reputation is the main attraction for a franchise that with a top-10 defensive unit since 2008, when it last won a play- game. Earning his rep James ended ten- ure with the Raptors on May 5. With eight seconds remaining in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semi- at Quicken Loans Arena, the Cavs and Raptors were tied at 103. James took a contested inbounds pass in the backcourt. Guarded by Raptors rookie O.G.

Anu- noby, James maneuvered around a screen from teammate Kevin Love near midcourt. Anunoby recovered to meet James near the 3-point line, forcing James to his left hand. James accelerated to create space and threw up a one-handed, righty shot that banked in to give the Cavs a com- manding 3-0 series lead. The Cavs completed the sweep over a listless Raptors team two days later. not a sin to lose to James, whose teams have represented the Eastern Conference in eight straight NBA Finals.

Casey took heat from some quarters for failing to double team James al- though with a full head of steam from starting in the backcourt, such a strate- gy would have been Either way, shot was the death knell for tenure in Toron- to. Which is ironic, considering Casey devised the defensive scheme that slowed James in 2011 when the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA title in six games over the Miami Heat. Casey, an assistant under former Pis- tons coach Rick Carlisle, devised a zone that took advantage of main weakness an unreliable jump shot. James credited Casey after he scored 43 points in the rout of the Rap- tors in Game 2. a complete basketball play- James told reporters.

Casey drew up a game plan against me in that series in the Finals when I played Dal- las to take away things I was very good at, and try to make me do things I very good at. part of the reason why I am who I am New surroundings Casey inherits a roster that 11th in defensive rating for two straight seasons. The struggled last season, 19th. The main factor was point guard Reggie Jackson missing 37 games with a severe right-ankle sprain. With a full training camp and health for both Jackson and power forward Blake the Pistons should be bet- ter With continued growth from shoot- ers Luke Kennard and Reggie Bullock, the potential is there to be very good of- fensively.

Casey does bring questions there. The Raptors were slow to embrace the 3-point shot, although they were just like everybody else this season. The franchise have champi- onship aspirations; it just wants to cre- ate some goodwill with the fans with a couple of appearances. Given his past, those goals appear to be well with reach. Casey Continued from Page 1C a complete basketball player.

Dwane Casey drew up a game plan against me in that series in the Finals when I played Dallas to take away things I was very good at, and try to make me do things I very good at. part of the reason why I am who I am LeBron James.