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EAST LANSING – Less than a week away from the start of the regular season, Tom Izzo wanted Michigan State’s final preseason preparation to be about basketball instead of an event.
Ferris State obliged and provided a much stiffer test than Northern Michigan. That allowed Izzo to see some things he wanted from his team.
Namely the Spartans’ ability to use their versatility to their benefit.
Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler celebrates a Ferris State turnover during the second half on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in East Lansing.
MSU got out and ran in transition all night and dominated in the paint and on the glass, pulling away from the pesky Bulldogs after things got close early in the second half to an 85-67 victory Tuesday night at Breslin Center.
Transfer swingman Frankie Fidler led the Spartans with 14 points but went just 3-for-7 from the field. Sophomore Coen Carr delivered electric dunks but showed some ability to score off the dribble to add 12 points. And junior Jaxon Kohler came off the bench for nine points and 11 rebounds as MSU finished with a 45-32 rebounding advantage and 42-30 scoring edge in the paint. Xavier Booker added 10 points.
All of that got set up by stellar point guard play from starter Jeremy Fears Jr. and Tre Holloman, who combined for 14 points, 17 assists and just one turnover apiece. The Spartans wore down Ferris with a 30-14 edge on the break.
After a pair of Division II exhibition games, things get real for MSU on Monday, with a visit from Monmouth (7 p.m./BTN+).
Mykel Bingham scored 16 points to lead the Bulldogs, while Nathan Claerbaut and Tyler Hamilton each added 11 as FSU made 41.3% from the field.
RELATED: Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball’s 85-67 exhibition win over Ferris State
Shooting woes
Izzo entered his second and final tune-up looking for two key things, better rebounding and running in transition. And the Spartans did that through an otherwise wobbly first half.
MSU started Fears, Jaden Akins, Fidler, Booker and Szymon…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-uses-small-lineup-013606989.html
Author : Lansing State Journal
Publish date : 2024-10-30 01:36:00
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