Michigan State basketball vs. Monmouth tipoff: Matchup analysis and a prediction

Xavier Booker (34) and Szymon Zapala (10) each started both exhibition games for MSU.

• What: Michigan State vs. Monmouth

• When: 7 p.m. Monday

• Where: Breslin Center

• TV/Radio: Streaming on Big Ten Network-Plus/Spartan Sports Network radio, including WJIM 1240-AM and WMMQ 94.9-FM; Sirius/XM Ch. 197

• Records/Rankings: This is the season opener for both teams, neither of which is ranked in the preseason polls. MSU is coming off a 20-15 season (10-10 in the Big Ten), which ended with a second-round NCAA tournament loss to North Carolina. Monmouth went 18-15 last season, including 10-8 in the Coastal Athletic Association and did not reach postseason play.

• Betting line: MSU by 19.5

• Coaches:Michigan State — Tom Izzo is 707-295 beginning his 30th season as a head coach, all with the Spartans. Monmouth — King Rice is 207-208 beginning his 14th season as a head coach, all with the Hawks.

• Series: This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Projected lineups

Michigan State

C (10) Szymon Zapala (7-0) 9.8 ppg* (2023-24 average)

F (34) Xavier Booker (6-11) 3.7

G (8) Frankie Fidler (6-7) 20.1*

G (3) Jaden Akins (6-4) 10.4

PG (1) Jeremy Fears (6-2) 3.5

Monmouth

C (6) Jordan Meka (6-8) 0.4

F (13) Jack Collins (6-5) 10.7

G (1) Abdi Bashir Jr. (6-6) 6.3

G (3) Madison Durr (6-5) 11.9*

G (11) Aric Demmings (6-0) 7.5*

*At previous school

• MSU update: The Spartans begin their 2024-25 season hoping to avoid their opening-night fate from a year ago, when they lost at home to James Madison. That was a more dangerous foe, but will probably do the trick in getting the Spartans’ attention. MSU enters the season with a number of questions about lineups and rotations still to be sorted out, including the starting lineup (listed above), which remained consistent for both exhibition games, but, after Tuesday’s performance against Ferris State, Tom Izzo hinted could change. MSU is healthy, other than redshirt freshman guard Gehrig Normand, who’s expected back from a knee injury…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-basketball-vs-monmouth-012844992.html

Author : Lansing State Journal

Publish date : 2024-11-04 01:28:00

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