Michigan State: Non-Conference Preview

[shaunguth]

http://www.bigtengeeks.com/2008/11/non-conference-preview-michigan-state.html

Bradley

Overview: Coming off a pair of 20 win seasons, last season's 17-15 mark was probably a disappointment for Braves' fans, but many likely saw it coming. Though they returned key players such as Jeremy Crouch and Daniel Ruffin, they only brought back 45.3% of the available minutes from the 06-07 season. Well, this year another step back seems to be in store, as Bradley returns 49.7% of the minutes from last season.

What to look for: Jim Les appears to be a guy who adapts to his roster pretty well. In the last two years, when the team was led by the sharpshooting Crouch and Ruffin (before he got into his legal troubles), along with the accurate Will Franklin, Les' teams were in the top 30 in the nation in terms of 3PA/FGA. But when Marcellus Sommerville and Patrick O'Bryant were on campus, his teams pounded the ball inside. If Les' pattern holds true, we might see a bit more balance this season...

Who to watch: ...because Bradley will be led by a pair of 6-5 wing players, Theron Wilson (who scores mostly on the inside) and Andrew Warren (who hit on 40.6% of his three point shots last season).

Expect the unexpected: Despite the fact that Bradley kept the ball on the perimeter last year, they had a TO Rate of 20.2% last season. This is disturbing for a couple of reasons. First, with so many departing minutes, that number would take a hit even if nothing changed. Second, the rest of Bradley's offense will likely work better with less 3's this season, which would also tend to make that rate rise.

Chance of a Michigan State victory: 80%

[SFP]

Without the cool-aid and not having inside knowledge this assessment is pretty well thought out. I do wish we had another pure shooter and a real 4 player. Next year we will have addressed the 4 position and all we need is a shooter for that next schollie. That is if AT can step up and play the 5 next year.