Michigan State University
The Master's College (exh.)
Spartans Defeat The Master's College In Exhibition Play
11/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. - It was a case of dueling debuts in Michigan State's 97-56 exhibition victory over The Master's College at the Breslin Center Monday night.
Spartan coach Tom Izzo unveiled a host of new players while welcoming back Russell Byrd, who transferred to the Southern California-based NAIA school for his final season of eligibility after earning an undergraduate degree at MSU.
In a twist on a tradition started by former Spartan great Shawn Respert, who kissed the MSU logo at midcourt after his final game at Breslin in 1995, Byrd knelt down and kissed before his last appearance.
Michigan State Director of Basketball Operations Kevin Pauga saw to it that Byrd was last player introduced during the pregame festivities before an appreciative crowd.
"That blew me away," Byrd said. "I didn't know what to expect but it turned out to be a pretty cool thing. I'm glad I got a chance to continue the tradition."
Byrd, who left MSU with a career high of 10 points in three injury-hampered seasons, led his new team with 22 on 7-for-22 shooting from the floor. His six pointers against Michigan State equaled the number he scored last season for the Spartans.
"Tonight was just really special for me" Byrd said. "It's something I'll always remember the rest of my life. I love this program. I love the people. It's a real special place and I appreciate everything the Spartan Nation showed tonight."
Byrd's triumphant return allowed Izzo to enjoy yet another new experience as his begins his 20th season at the Spartan helm . "That's one of those rare moments where it's a win-win- win," Izzo said. "Whenever a kid doesn't have a good a career as you'd think you always think it's (something between) the coach and the kid. Russ did a lot for us last year. He saved (former point guard) Keith Appling when he was going through some rough times.
"Unfortunately, he didn't get to play as much but he really was a heckuva leader. It was nice that Russ had a good game. He shot pretty well and we played decent. It meant a lot to me and I think it meant even more to him."
By "decent, "Izzo was referring to MSU's point production and 50-percent shooting. He was far less impressed by the Spartans' defense.
Junior guard Denzel Valentine led MSU with 24 points, eight more than the career-high he'll take into the regular season, on 9-for-14 shooting, and a game-high 12 rebounds while senior forward Branden Dawson added 15 points and nine rebounds.
Bryn Forbes, the transfer from Cleveland State and Valentine's former Lansing Sexton High teammate, lived up to his billing as an outside shooter by converting 4 of 7 3-point shots to finish with 14 points.
Sophomore guard Alvin Ellis III, who's vying to crack the starting lineup, scored 12 points while freshman forward Marvin Clark Jr. scored seven points and had three rebounds. Senior point guard Travis Trice had nine assists, no turnovers and 11 points while his freshman backup, Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. commemorated his first appearance in Green and White with six assists and no turnovers.
"We've worked harder on our offense than our defense probably for the first time in my career and the last time," Izzo said. "We just didn't guard anybody on the perimeter. I thought for the most part Trice played pretty well but didn't shoot as well (4 for 10) as he has been.
"Valentine was unbelievable. I thought Dawson played very well the first half. Then we got guys that were up and down. Bryn can really shoot it, but you can't give up as many as you make. I thought Alvin early was not very good but in the second half played better. Tum got his feet wet and I thought Marvin played better the second half. We had some bizarre lineups in there."
Izzo vowed to have the defense straightened out in time for Friday's exhibition finale against St. Cloud State.
"We're going to improve in that area one way or another, I promise," Izzo said. Valentine's specialty has been that of a playmaker throughout his career, but won't mind leading the team in scoring from time to time.
"I have the capability to (do that), but I don't envision myself that way," he said. "I think Travis and B.J. (Dawson) are the best scorers and Bryn is right behind them. I think I'm the fourth-best, but I'll just take what I can get.
"If teams start covering me up then I get to go around them and make plays for other people. Me shooting the ball the way I am is just going to open up my game and open it up for everyone else."
