1. A really cool event and a game that taught us a little about MSU
MARQUETTE – We’ll have to wait until Michigan State’s basketball team faces an opponent that puts the Spartans under some stress before we know who this team will to turn to in big moments for buckets and what late-game lineups will look like.
Sunday’s exhibition game against Northern Michigan at the Superior Dome was an outstanding event, one of the cooler settings MSU has played in — you could make an argument that it’s No. 3 after the two aircraft carrier games — but it did not lend itself to the most fluid basketball or a game where the matchups athletically revealed a ton about what this MSU team can be.
It was a different kind of game. Tom Izzo had his Northern Michigan number retired during a first-half timeout. During a second-half timeout, Izzo joined a girl battling cancer for an emotional ringing of the bell, marking the end of her chemotherapy. All worthwhile stuff. Perfect for this weekend. But not usual.
MSU’s length and quickness was too much for Northern Michigan, which has become a good Division-II program. But in winning 70-53, MSU didn’t yet look like a smooth offensive team. It’s barely mid-October and Izzo played his entire roster, 11 different players getting double-digit minutes. But we did learn a few things — like that this team will use a number of guards, including Jaden Akins, to generate offense from the lead guard position, and that Coen Carr, right now at least, is only playing on the wing, where he had one jumper and three rebounds in 20 minutes. The big man rotation right now is four other guys. More on that below.
2. Getting an idea of MSU’s big man rotation
For those who don’t love MSU’s two big-men lineups, I’ve got bad news: It appears we’re going to see a lot of them. And if Xavier Booker and Jaxon Kohler can stretch defenses from the 4 spot and Kohler can defend that position, then it won’t feel like last season, when two-big lineups, especially with Carr on the wing, often brought the Spartans’ offense to a halt.
Seven-foot transfer Szymon Zapala started this game at center, with Carson Cooper backing him up. Booker started at power forward, with Kohler behind him. Booker and Kohler right now, though, are MSU’s two best big men. And this staff has long-since been intrigued by the two of them on the floor together. We didn’t see that Sunday. I think we will as the competition gets real.
Booker made 4 of 6 shots Sunday. He buried his only 3-point try and had another bucket on the drive that was something we haven’t seen a ton from him. A good sign. Kohler, too, made a 3 and took two. That’s important for him and for MSU to be able to play two bigs together that don’t include Booker and to be able to have Carr on the court. You have to have shooting. I’m curious to see how much Kohler gives them in that area. He had nine points and eight rebounds in 17 minutes Sunday.
Zapala is going to play. The question is whether he’s going to start and play this much — 16 minutes, grabbing nine rebounds to along with six points. I want to see him against other 7-footers and centers that cause MSU issues athletically.
I still think there’s a chance Booker winds up as MSU’s center in closing lineups, with Carr at power forward. There are still a lot of ways this can go. I don’t know that Sunday told us much in that regard, except that nothing is certain other than Booker starting at the 4.
3. Freshman thoughts – the Northern Michigan Superior Dome edition
An October exhibition game isn’t the setting to have any idea what the roles for MSU’s three freshmen will be early this season. All three true freshman played, with Jase Richardson and Kur Teng playing significant minutes, more than I imagine they will in a few weeks.
There were a couple moments, however, that were examples of what I think those two can be for this MSU team — sparks of shooting or hustle that give the Spartans an injection of momentum.
Teng’s first-half 3-pointer was exactly this. MSU was ahead, 15-8, but off to a clunky start. In transition, Teng settled his feet on the right wing and let it fly. The lid came off the hoop a little more after that and MSU was in control, even if not off and running. Richardson’s corralling save of a loose ball and dish to Xavier Booker for a dunk had a similar effect.
Richardson later knocked down a three on a pass from Teng, though by then MSU was well ahead and Izzo had gone back to using a variety of lineups. Late in the game, Richardson had a couple more buckets, including a strong drive and finish off the glass while being fouled. Richardson finished with three assists. Teng had two assists and a couple steals. And another 3 transition late in the game. I think these two are going to be a part of things. It’s just hard to tell yet how much.
MSU’s other true freshman, 6-10, 240-pound center/power forward Jesse McCulloch played two minutes in the first half and a few more in the second. He had one block and one strong rebound over an NMU player. He didn’t attempt a shot. Izzo said recently it’s unclear yet if McCullough will see minutes this season. They like his potential down the road. It’s just hard to see a need for him, unless there are a couple injuries.
You can see where McCulloch has improved his body since high school. Eventually, in a year or two, he could be the sort of big man who can defend the post and stretch defenses with his shot on the other end, which would make him a valuable player in the program.
Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.
