EAST LANSING — Version 1.0 of Michigan State basketball’s slimmed down roster showed plenty of promise.
At times strong rebounding. Precision outside shooting. Mixing and matching lineups. A return of Jaden Akins. Contributions from freshmen.
All of which led to a 73-55 season-opening win over Northern Arizona on Monday night at Breslin Center
Senior forward Joey Hauser led the Spartans with 18 points and 10 rebounds after getting just two double-doubles last season. Until late garbage time, Izzo went 10 deep, with each of those players scoring and his bench outscoring the Lumberjacks, 31-5.