Head coach Tom Izzo reacts to a referees call in the first half of Monday night’s exhibition game at Breslin Center. MSU won the contest 76-53.
In the final dress rehearsal before Friday’s regular season opener, the No. 2 MSU men’s basketball team looked mostly like a team still trying to find its rhythm following a 76-53 victory Monday against Grand Valley State.
With three potential starters injured, the Spartans understandably had a few lapses and struggled in spurts, but still managed a pretty strong effort as they prepared for Friday’s season opener against Florida Gulf Coast.
“It’s hard to sit there with four almost starters sitting on your bench and think that things are going to be cohesive,” head coach Tom Izzo said. “It’s very frustrating because now we’re supposed to turn it around.”
Sophomore forward Draymond Green got the Spartans started with a thunderous put-back dunk to make it 4-0 MSU early on.
When Grand Valley recorded its first basket at the 16:50 mark of the first half, the Spartans responded with a 3-pointer from junior guard Durrell Summers to make it 7-2.
Summers finished with just five points, but chipped in five rebounds and two steals. With junior guard Chris Allen out with a groin injury, Summers was called upon more often usual, but finished 2-for-9 from the field.
Senior forward Raymar Morgan missed his second straight preseason game with a sprained ankle, and sophomore forward Delvon Roe dressed but did not play because of a concussion.
Izzo said Morgan likely won’t play in Friday’s season opener.
Green finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Lucas led all scorers with 18.
After MSU converted two fast breaks into points to jump ahead 13-4, freshman center Derrick Nix made a nice pivot move and drilled a short jumper.
After a Laker bucket, Summers sprang free for an uncontested slam to the delight of the home fans, and it appeared certain that the Spartans’ rout was on.
Nevertheless, after falling behind by 15, the Lakers responded with a 9-2 run to cut the Spartans’ lead to 23-15.
Two Lucas free throws put MSU ahead by 10, but the Lakers trimmed the Spartan lead to seven with a 3-pointer by Nick Carreri on their next possession to put the Breslin Center crowd on edge.
The Spartans took a 10-point advantage into the break, and for the second time in the game appeared ready to pull away after opening the half with a 5-0 run.
This time MSU got as far ahead as 20 points, turning good defensive play into easy fast break buckets, namely a steal by sophomore guard Korie Lucious that he took back for a layup.
Grand Valley showed some fight, however, scoring eight straight to get back to within 12.
But the Lakers wouldn’t get much closer as MSU closed out the game with a good defensive effort to wrap up a 23-point victory.
“I don’t think we shot it very well (tonight) because I think we’ve shot it better than any team I’ve ever had here in practice,” Izzo said.
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