Michigan State basketball: Getting to know Georgia Southern

Michigan State basketball will take on Georgia Southern on Tuesday night with the goal of improving to 4-3.

Michigan State basketball is 3-3 after a painful loss against the Arizona Wildcats on Thanksgiving. While the loss was disappointing, there are plenty of things the Spartans can build on, specifically Jaden Akins’ second-half performance and Coen Carr’s contributions (7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals).

We also saw glimpses of the March 2023 version of AJ Hoggard. A point guard so relentless and unstoppable in getting to the basketball. Unfortunately, it was only for a stretch of the second half. We need to see this version of Hoggard early and often as we look to December so Michigan State can pick up some quality wins.

Let’s look at the Spartans’ next opponent, the Georgia Southern Eagles.

When: Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 6:30 p.m. ET
Records: No. 18 Michigan State (3-3), Georgia Southern (0-6)
Head Coach: Charlie Henry, first season as head coach of Georgia Southern. Henry is from Canton, Mich., and attended Madonna University in Michigan. Henry began his coaching career at Romulus High School under now-Alabama head coach, Nate Oats.
Head-to-head record: This is the first-ever meeting between the two programs
Last Meeting: N/A

Georgia Southern travels to East Lansing Tuesday evening having lost their first six games of the season, most recently to Northeastern, 93-76. The Eagles have been within striking distance to steal a win or two to begin the season with strong first-half performances (down 32-31 at Georgia Tech) but the second half, for the most part, leaves a lot to be desired as their opponents (all but Eastern Michigan and Kennesaw State) manage to pull away:

• at Georgia Tech 84-62 loss (32-31 halftime deficit)
• at Eastern Michigan 70-60 loss (40-23 halftime deficit)
• at Jacksonville 85-68 loss (46-39 halftime deficit)
• Kennesaw State 95-92 loss (50-48 halftime deficit)
• at East Carolina 82-64 loss (37-29 halftime deficit)
• at Northeastern 93-76 loss (42-34 halftime deficit)

Georgia Southern finished 17-16 (9-9 Sun Belt) in 2022-23 and was picked to finish No. 13 out of 14 in the Sun Belt this season, with no preseason All-Sun Belt selections. The Eagles come in ranked No. 322 in KenPom and a bottom-20 team in AdjD rating in the country (No. 340). Their defense is ranked near the bottom of the country, in KenPom in effective field-goal percentage (349th) and 3-point defense (355th).

Head coach Charlie Henry, a Nate Oats disciple, has trotted out multiple starting lineups already season, but the projected starters are:

• F: Avantae Parker (FR) – 6-foot-9
• F: Collin Kuhl (FR) – 6-foot-7
• G: Derrick Harris Jr. (R-SO) – 6-foot-3
• G: Jamar Franklin (SO) – 6-foot-3
• G: Tyren Moore (SR) – 5-foot-11

Another player to watch for is grad senior guard Deuce Dean who leads the Eagles in scoring at 12.8 points per game. Jamar Franklin leads the projected starters in scoring at 11.2 points. The Eagles don’t feature another player averaging double-digit scoring. Georgia Southern has seven players shooting over 30 percent from 3-point range this season. They average 31.5 3-point attempts per game which is 13th-most in the nation, but only make 32.6% as a team. If the Eagles hope to make this competitive, it would be from deep connecting on closer to 37-38 percent from deep. Since Henry is from the Oats coaching tree, expect a similar playing style; but not as efficient as the Crimson Tide have executed the last few seasons.

Prediction

This is the second Sun (fun) Belt team the Spartans have faced, but don’t expect the same challenge that James Madison gave Michigan State at the beginning of November. The Eagles run a fun style of offense, they just aren’t good at it yet and they don’t defend anyone. By all accounts, this is the worst team Michigan State basketball has faced this season and the toughest opponent Georgia Southern has played. The only opportunity the Eagles have to make this competitive is that they shoot well above their average from deep and the Spartans start the game in a lull as they have in most games this season. Georgia Southern has looked competitive in most first halves this season, but they won’t be at the Breslin Center come Tuesday night. Expect Michigan State to build an early 15-point lead to allow for Tyson Walker to get some rest and the second unit to see some extended playing time, especially Xavier Booker. Also, this is another opportunity for Steven Izzo to see the court. Will this be the game he scores?

Spartans win, 91-58.