No mustard: Science behind curing Malik Newman's cramps
STARKVILLE — Michael Jordan drank Gatorade. Bobby Boucher preferred water. Mississippi State freshman Malik Newman’s game day preference was mustard.
Leg cramps followed Newman to MSU. But the mustard that erased his in-game ailments remained in Jackson.
Newman won four state championships at Callaway, earned a trip to the McDonald’s All-American Game and played for Team USA abroad prior to arriving at MSU. His go-to move through it all was a yellow plastic bottle of the common household condiment.
Mississippi State’s strength and conditioning coach, David Deets, relies on a different side kick: science.
“We’re not giving him mustard. We’re doing other things. I think that it’s helped him and will continue to help him. He won’t have to miss time here,” Deets said. “We have science that tells us that these things are what’s better for us. So we use the things that have been studied and are effective.”
Science lends some evidence to mustard. There are studies that show mustard may ease cramping, but nothing concrete. Initially, Newman doubted the science and preferred to rely on what previously worked for him.
“At times, I was going through that,” Newman said. “They were telling me that wasn’t a wise choice. I just listen to them and do what they tell me to do. Apparently they know more than I do, so I’m not going to argue with them.”
Deets refused to reveal the exact formula that has extinguished Newman’s cramps, but they haven’t bothered the five-star prospect in the last four games. He’s logged at least 27 minutes since that time and played a career-high 35 last time out against Florida.
“It’s something I don’t want to let everybody know what we’re doing, yet,” Deets said. “Because I think any time you can have an advantage over people. Sometimes you don’t want to let everybody know exactly what you’re doing.”
Some of it might have to do with diet.
“One of our big deals is you can’t not train a bad diet,” Deets said. “So what are you doing when you’re away from us those 18 hours a day? Are you doing the things that we’re asking you to do to help with your performance to allow you to have the gains to get faster and stronger and bigger?”
At Florida, Newman scored 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 2 of 4 from 3. One game prior against Tennessee, he tied a career high with 34 minutes. He also recorded highs with 15 shot attempts and seven rebounds.
“They got together for me to not be cramping and to be able to play a whole game,” Newman said. “I just credit them. I’m not sure what’s special that they’re doing, but whatever they’re doing I hope they keep it up.”
Every freshman endures the same physical adjustments. Newman’s history of leg cramping complicated the transition from high school to college.
It’s no coincidence in Deets’ mind that both Newman and freshman Quinndary Weatherspoon are logging more minutes than ever. Weatherspoon is coming off a 23-point performance against Tennessee and 14 points against Florida.
Midway through the season, they’re finally adjusting to college conditioning.
“It’s totally different for them,” Deets said. “The level of intensity is so much greater every day. The volume of stuff they’re doing. Their body’s in shock.”
Mississippi State added Weatherspoon to the starting lineup the last two games while Newman has started all but two games.
Newman’s cramps are gone. Weatherspoon’s body has adjusted to the college game. While some freshmen tail off at the end of the year, there’s a chance Mississippi State’s duo could be hitting its stride.
“A lot of times it’s more mental for them than it is physical,” Deets said. “Getting them mentally where they need to be has been a really big plus. I think that’s why I think you’re starting to see them play a lot better.”
Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.