Your Michigan State Spartans vs. the Oakland Golden Grizzlies
The Palace of Auburn Hills - Auburn Hills, Mich.
Dec. 13, 2013, 4 P.M.
The Palace of Auburn Hills - Auburn Hills, Mich.
Dec. 13, 2013, 4 P.M.
TV: ESPN2
Online streaming: WatchESPN.com
Online streaming: WatchESPN.com
It's been more than a week since MSU last played, falling at home to North Carolina and everyone getting injured in the process.
After getting Finals Week off, MSU returns to action to face Oakland at the Palace, as they've done in recent years. The Golden Grizzlies come into this at 2-8, but they've played a very difficult schedule, as usual, with losses to UNC, UCLA, Gonzaga and Indiana on Tuesday.
Oakland comes in ranked No. 178 in KenPom, better on the offensive end than the defensive end. The Grizzlies are No. 108 in adjO, though the eFG% is just 46.4 percent (No. 265). Oakland is shooting 43.6 percent on 2s (No. 305) and 33.8 percent on 3s (No. 165). They only turn the ball over on 16.8 percent of possessions (No. 90), and they don't do a good job of getting to the free-throw line (33.1 FTR).
Of course, things start with Travis Bader, the 3-point specialist from Okemos. He's averaging 20.1 points per game, shooting 37 percent from behind the arc. He's played 91 percent of available minutes. Inside, Corey Petros averages 12.0 points and 7.4 rebounds, shooting 55 percent from the floor. Point guard Duke Mondy averages 11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game with an assist rate of 30.1 percent.
Defensively, the Grizzlies are No. 254 in adjD. Opponents are shooting 56.7 percent on 2s (No. 334) and 36.4 percent on 3s (No. 245). Oakland forces turnovers in 21.1 percent of possessions (No. 46). Opponents have a free-throw rate of 49.4, getting to the line frequently.
On the glass, Oakland grabs just 21.8 percent of misses (No. 342) and opponents get 37.3 percent (No. 317). If there was ever a time for MSU's rebounding to get back on track, this would be it.
Matt Costello is expected out due to what is likely mono. I'd be surprised if Gary Harris played with his ankle injury. Keith Appling suffered a hip pointer against UNC, but he should be good to go. Adreian Payne has been dealing with a foot issue and now Kenny Kaminski is suspended indefinitely. MSU is going to need to go into the bench for this one.
KenPom predicts an 83-67 MSU win with a 92 percent win probability.
This is also the Game Thread. No links to illegal game streams, no slurs, and please don't feed the trolls.
GO GREEN, GO WHITE, BEAT OAKLAND!