Spartans Report: Strategy And Personnel
KEY MATCHUPS
The Nittany Lions beat the Spartans in their first meeting despite a so-so day from Talor Battle, who had a gimpy ankle. He's healthier now, and Michigan State needs freshman G Keith Appling to play his best defense to keep Battle contained. Delvon Roe got into foul trouble in the first meeting. This time he's the Spartans' best bet against Penn State SF David Jackson.
FUTURES MARKET
The Spartans planned for freshman G Russell Byrd to help them this season, but a broken foot that required May surgery needed a second surgery in October. Byrd wasn't cleared for full activity until January. Still, the 6-foot-7 athlete has the purest jump shot on the team and looks like someone who could help now that Korie Lucious is off the team. Tom Izzo is remaining steadfast, however: The redshirt will not come off Byrd. A significant role awaits Byrd in 2011-12.
PLAYER NOTES
--Junior F Delvon Roe has had well-chronicled troubles with his right knee since it needed surgery in his senior year of high school. It needed another surgery at the end of last season. Now Roe is getting it drained after practices, sitting out some practices, and looking a bit less mobile in the past few games. Still, he continues to adamantly deny that it is bothering him.
--Freshman G Keith Appling was looking at limited minutes when the Spartans still had Chris Allen and Korie Lucious. Allen was dismissed from the program in August, and Appling has been a big part of the rotation. With Lucious gone, Michigan State was using Appling some at point guard. It appears Lucious will not be back next season, which means Appling likely will be the Spartans' starter at the point.
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