Head Coach Tom Izzo said he thought their presence was a rewarding experience.

“It was fun to have the Pistons here and Isaiah Thomas talking about our program. I do appreciate those things,” Izzo said.

But the fun also comes with opportunity, as Izzo picked Pistons Head Coach Dwane Casey’s brain as much as he could while he was here.

“It was interesting having the Pistons here, I thought Dwane Casey was phenomenal. Just things he said, I spent every night with him, just because they have some of the same problems,” Izzo said as he talked about limiting distractions for his team during Media Day.

The Pistons’ visit was a learning experience for every player, but for sophomore guard Foster Loyer, the visit was a little more special.

Loyer grew up around the Pistons organization. His father, John Loyer, served both as an interim head coach and assistant coach for the Pistons, so Loyer was able to reconnect with some of the guys he spent his childhood around.

“I used to know Andre (Drummond) real well. My dad was with the team when they drafted him ... so we kind of caught up a little bit,” Loyer said.

After catching up, Loyer saw he had a lot to learn.

Growing up around basketball, with his dad coaching for many different teams and now a scout for the Los Angeles Clippers, he said he saw a lot of professionals play. Now, no longer in middle school, Loyer is watching the players a little differently.

“I was around the Pistons a little bit when I was in middle school,” Loyer said. “Now that I’m at this stage in my career, seeing how much different you can look at things was really interesting.”

Loyer said he got to spend his time analyzing two point guards with long NBA careers. 

Reggie Jackson, who spent time with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook before going to the Pistons to take on a starting job and Derrick Rose, a former MVP for the Chicago Bulls who is now a seasoned veteran and signed with the Pistons this offseason, were both there for the week at the Breslin.

Loyer, senior Cassius Winston and freshman Rocket Watts, alongside the rest of the team, were able to learn from experienced players  how they have been able to contend against the highest competition.

“Getting to watch Reggie Jackson, Derrick Rose, the different ways they kind of manipulate within the offense, just to put themselves in the position to score and get their teammates open was something I really paid attention to,” Loyer said.

The training for the Pistons ended up being a learning opportunity for the Spartans, as they got to see what things were like at the next level.

“Just to watch their intensity in practice, how they go about things. The attention to detail that’s required at the next level. It was just fun,” Loyer said.