We all thought this one might be different. Vernon Carey Jr. was looking like a Spartan after Michigan State coach Tom Izzo built a strong relationship with the five-star recruit from Florida, but Duke came in again and swiped the nation’s No. 3 prospect.
It felt different for a while, it really did.
Carey Jr. visited Michigan State — officially — two times. No other school got two officials and the Spartans got his last visit. Jaren Jackson Jr. was his “unofficial” recruiter and that seemed to be working in the Spartans’ favor, but it was clear on Thursday afternoon that he wanted to go somewhere that being an NBA lottery pick is the norm after being a one-and-done.