MSU vs. Oakland: Preview/Game Thread

YOUR MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS vs. THE OAKLAND GOLDEN GRIZZLIES
JACK BRESLIN STUDENT EVENTS CENTER - EAST LANSING, MI
NOVEMBER 23, 2012, 8:15 P.M.

With Thanksgiving yesterday and football tomorrow, apologies for not having a full-fledged preview for you.

I'll start with some informative tweets by KJ this morning.

Oakland lost to Boise St by 8, beat Texas Southern by 2. All our lower-end nonconference opponents are strangely interconnected this year.

— KJ (@KJatTOC) November 23, 2012

KenPom has OU ranked much higher on offense (56) than defense (321), consistent with last couple seasons. Should be a fun one.

— KJ (@KJatTOC) November 23, 2012

New guy is Duke Mondy, transfer from Providence. Went from 15% usage rate there to 35% at OU. Turning ball over in bunches so far (34%).

— KJ (@KJatTOC) November 23, 2012

So along with LA-Lafeyette, these teams are all playing a round robin. Clearly an organized thing. Why have I not seen any PR on this?

— KJ (@KJatTOC) November 23, 2012

Maybe I should read the game notes once in a while: msuspartans.com/sports/m-baskb…. The Spartan Showcase. (HT: @cronesports)

— KJ (@KJatTOC) November 23, 2012

Oakland's top player is Travis Bader, who averages 19 points, 3.8 rebounds and more than 10 three-point attempts per game (making 38 percent of them).

Drew Valentine is the old brother of Denzel by 2.5 years (Insert Little Brother comment here). The senior starter averages 11.6 point, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

KenPom has OU's OR% at 35.4 percent (110th), with allowing 37.8 percent (286th), so rebounds will be there to be had. OU also ranks No. 334 with opponents shooting 58.1 percent on 2s.

With MSU missing Travis Trice and Gary Harris, some of the lineup combinations could be interesting. I expect a heavy dose of Russell Byrd and Brandan Kearney again.

With that, let the thread begin.