Monday night — and the first few weeks of the season — will likely feature experimentation with rotations and lineups. MSU's best lineup in its exhibition win over Ferris State last Tuesday had three starters and two guys off the bench. 

Head coach Tom Izzo constantly switched players like senior guard Jaden Akins, senior forward transfer Frankie Fidler and sophomore forward Xavier Booker with non-starters such as sophomore forward Coen Carr, freshman guard Jase Richardson and junior guard Tre Holloman.

In the exhibition, Michigan State proved its high intensity at times will lead to productive, efficient play. Fidler said the team’s intensity has gotten better recently and each player has focused on what they need to do for optimal success.

Fidler was the leading scorer for the Spartans, finishing the game with 14 points in 18 minutes and was on the court while the Spartans built momentum to take a game-defining 19-point lead.

Booker said the team has been working on its chemistry, with an offensive roster that can “do a lot of different things." That's one of several areas Izzo has wanted to focus on. 

As MSU begins the regular season Monday night, Izzo has fixated particularly on effort. He saw issues with the Ferris State win, including lack of effort and "grit." He said some guys on the court were just “existing.” Akins, who Izzo wants to step up and be his No. 1 guy, finished the game with three points on 1-for-5 shooting. 

"Coming into this year, we know we have to give every opponent (our) best shot. We got to be locked in and be ready to go from the beginning of the game," Akins said. "We don’t take any team lightly."

Akins said he needs to work on his shooting confidence and not getting discouraged when he's not making shots. Booker, another guy MSU needs to produce this season, didn't take a shot until over eight minutes into the game. The 6-foot-11 gifted shooter finished with two rebounds in 19 minutes. 

Booker said he needs to improve his rebounding and comfort on the floor, which might take time.

"Not everything is going to come at once. It’s a long season, so we have a long time to grow as a team," Booker said.

Redshirt freshman guard Gehrig Normand, who suffered an injury this offseason, remains unavailable. Izzo said Normand is still at least another week away from playing but his status is progressing. 

As Akins put it, MSU has "10 or 11 guys" that can produce and play meaningful minutes. The Spartans can play fast, throw it inside or kick it out to the wings — the strength in numbers allows them to utilize various lineups and rotations. 

Against Ferris State, the Spartans shot 7-for-22 (32%) from beyond the arc. Last season, they shot 36%. Monmouth has athletic wings, something the Spartans need to watch out for on Monday.

"Every team we play is going to be a challenge, and that's how we have to approach it, and respect every team that we play," Fidler said. "It'll be good to play such a good opponent early on."

MSU will take on Monmouth on Monday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Breslin Center. Big Ten Plus will air the game.