Michigan State University
Nike Elite (Exhibition)
Ballinger Leads Way In Victory
11/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov 14, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Tom Izzo believes Michigan State can be one of the better team in the nation with everybody on its roster.
The problem is, the Spartans' coach hasn't had his whole team together because of injuries.
"We have no chemistry right now because the injuries are eating us alive," Izzo said. "I don't know whether to be disappointed, frustrated, or mad, but I'm probably a little of each."
Adam Ballinger had 12 points and 14 rebounds as No. 9 Michigan State held on to beat Nike Elite 56-55 Thursday in an exhibition game.
The Spartans led by 17 early in the second half and led 54-42 with 3:49 left, but Nike Elite closed the game with a 13-2 run and had a chance to win in the final seconds.
"We've got to finish games," Ballinger said. "We can't get into lulls like that."
The Spartans, already without guards Kelvin Torbert and Maurice Ager because of injury, survived a scare with a few minutes left in the game when guard Chris Hill fell to the floor awkwardly. Hill sprained his hip, but was able to return to the game in the final minute.
Torbert, who has been sideline for two weeks, is expected to miss another week after having ankle surgery. Ager is expected to be out another three-to-five weeks with a stress fracture in his right foot.
Freshman Paul Davis scored five points, but has not been able to practice recently because of hyperextended fingers. Junior Tim Bograkos had three assists, but has also missed several practices with a shoulder injury.
"This is not a real good basketball team right now, and the reason it's not is this team has not gotten a chance to practice together," Izzo said. "It's an excuse, but it's a reality."
Michigan State, the preseason pick to win the Big Ten, opens against North Carolina-Asheville at home on Nov. 22 before playing in the Great Alaska Shootout. The Spartans' first marquee game at home will be Dec. 4 against Virginia in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge.
Alan Anderson scored six points in the first few minutes for the Spartans and finished with 13. Aloysius Anagonye and Jason Andreas scored eight each.
Dave Ferguson, a former St. Louis standout, scored 15 points for Nike Elite, which hadn't come closer to beating any of its six previous college opponents this month.
The Spartans strength was on display early and its weakness, at least with their two guards out, was exposed late.
Michigan State lacks a star, but with several solid players it will give opponents problems with a well-balanced team.
Five different Spartans scored as they took an early 17-4 lead. Michigan State, which led by as much as 16 in the first half, had a 31-22 halftime lead.
The Spartans opened the second half with an 11-3 run to lead 42-25, but they couldn't maintain the big cushion in part because of backcourt struggles.
Michigan State's Rashi Johnson, a transfer from Mott Community College in Flint, played well early, but had problems getting the Spartans offense going late in the game. Johnson had six assists and four turnovers.
