INDIANAPOLIS -- What's the silver lining the Michigan State Spartans took from their loss to the Duke Blue Devils in the second game of the season? The fact it was just the second game of the season.
The Blue Devils won 81-71 in the Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Nov. 18. That Michigan State team was like an adolescent compared to how it has grown up now.
"We’re both not completely different, but I think we’re a lot better than we were back then," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski agreed. So much so that he’s not using clips from the Blue Devils’ win in preparation for Saturday’s game in the national semifinals. Krzyzewski said it’s just not relevant compared to the work the Spartans have done in the NCAA tournament.
"It could have a negative impact if our guys remember them for who they were then," Krzyzewski said.
Duke relies on more freshmen, but the Spartans also were dealing with a lot of unknowns that early in the season. They were trying to replace departed players Keith Appling, Gary Harris and Adreian Payne.
During the first meeting, there were several things that won’t occur on Saturday. Izzo used Cleveland State transfer Bryn Forbes at guard as well as forward Matt Costello in the starting lineup, but both now come off the bench.
Forbes is an offensive spark as the team’s best 3-point shooter. His 14 points that helped the Spartans knock off Louisville in the Elite Eight included 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range. He was largely ineffective in the first meeting with Duke, scoring nine points on 3-for-9 shooting.
While much has been made of the improvement of Duke’s freshman starters Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor since that first meeting, Michigan State point guard Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. has made big strides, too.
Nairn, who has started the past 15 games, has committed only four turnovers combined in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.
Turnovers were a big problem for the Spartans against Duke. They committed 13, which the Blue Devils turned into a 24-4 advantage in points off turnovers. It’s one of the few things Izzo wanted to make sure his team took from that loss.
"Yeah, we watched a lot of film last week on that first game," Spartans guard Travis Trice said. "Just looking at all the turnovers, a lot of mistakes we have. Duke is a great team. They were great then."
Krzyzewski said Trice is great now.
After three years of battling injuries and biding his time, Trice finally has been healthy and stepped out of the shadows from playing behind Appling. Trice’s play has carried the Spartans during the NCAA tournament as he’s increased his production to 19.8 points, including shooting 40 percent from 3-point range.
"He’s been the best player in the tournament of any team -- of any team," Krzyzewski said. "Trice is just out of sight right now what he’s doing. The cockiness, the confidence, he’s a very difficult guy to defend."
What hasn’t changed for the Spartans is Trice, Denzel Valentine and Branden Dawson will have to play big roles for them to have a chance at winning. That much was obvious back when the fourth installation of the Champions Classic doubleheader again was dominated by talk of all the talented freshmen playing in it.
Izzo gives credit to Krzyzewski and Kentucky Wildcats coach John Calipari for bringing their freshmen along. But he wouldn’t trade in his veteran trio.
"I don’t think sometimes we get enough credit for the Valentines, Trices and Dawsons," Izzo said. "Those three players are good players that could play on a lot of teams, too."