Joe Crispin: from boyhood to manhood

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. -- I Corinthians 13:11

And the childlike features of his face also show his youthfulness, from his rosy-red cheeks to the intricately styled spiked haircut he showcases.

Even more like a child, Crispin exudes a boyish enthusiasm for the game of basketball. When he's on the court, he eyes his defender intently as he's thinking about the offensive play he must execute. In the media room, he's congenial and loves to talk.

He tries to make things happen. Case in point: Last week against Northwestern, Crispin drove to the lane against 6-foot-11 Evan Eschmeyer and dished off a beautiful behind-the-back pass to Calvin Booth in the opening minutes of the game.

Or how about that sickly looking layup he made against Michigan State last Saturday? Crispin challenged three Spartans in the paint but somehow managed to oddly toss the ball into the hoop for two.

And there was that game against Wisconsin in which the freshman point guard scored a team- and career-high 21 points.

But sometimes he tries too hard. Crispin turned the ball over eight times against Michigan State -- too many giveaways for a starting point guard in the Big Ten. He often gets pressured by defenders and is unable to make a quick decision under that pressure.

After the Michigan State game, Crispin looked different. He came out of the locker room after his shower, but his hair wasn't as styled as it usually is. There were still beads of sweat pouring down his fresh face.

And he was upset with himself.

"I made too many mistakes," said a beleaguered Crispin. "I had a few good looks, but didn't get the job done."

It doesn't sound extremely harsh, but it was just the way he said it. He was frustrated and ticked. This coming after comments he made the day before in which he said he felt very comfortable with being at the helm of the team.

But Joe, listen to your peers and upperclassmen. They know how you feel.

"He's a great guy," said Spartan guard Mateen Cleeves, who covered Crispin throughout the game. "I like the way he carried himself. I took my bumps and bruises as a freshman. I know how he feels. He's going to have some games where he wants to kill himself and some where he'll want to enter the NBA draft.

"When I watched him, I knew I was going to have to play some good defense. He has a great future. He has to keep his head up."

If you ask Lion backup Carl Jackson about Crispin, he'll tell you the freshman won't have trouble keeping his head up.

"The kid is cocky," he said jokingly. "At first when Danny (Earl) went down, the initial thought was that this was a big blow to the team. But then you just noticed he has confidence most freshmen, even most players, don't have."

Even Lion coach Jerry Dunn has noticed that special something in Crispin.

"I think people understand Joe has a lot of potential," Dunn said. "They understand how complicated the position he's playing and the position he's in and they have respect for that."

And deep down, Crispin has that respect for himself as evidenced by some of his bright performances this season.

"After I got here, I thought I could do it," Crispin said last Friday. "I feel confident, and if I don't, I convince myself that I am."

Kids say the darndest things.