Michigan State basketball takeaways, highlights from opening night of Moneyball Pro-Am | See link below ⬇️
Here’s a comprehensive look—at over 600 words—into the opening night of the 20th annual Moneyball Pro‑Am and all the key takeaways and highlights surrounding Michigan State’s presence in this summer tradition:
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🏀 1. A Community-Centric Summer Showcase
Moneyball Pro‑Am returned to Holt High School, just west of East Lansing, with eleven Michigan State players spread across six teams tipping off opening night amid packed stands .
While the pickup‑style atmosphere—with loose defense and a flair-for-the-dramatic—might not mirror a college game, it delivers a valuable early glimpse into roster dynamics and promising talent—all in an environment that encourages bonding, experimentation, and fan interaction .
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2. Injury Watch: McCulloch & Scott
Two players who were absent from the opening night action due to injuries:
Jesse McCulloch, returning from a redshirt season, is in the midst of a six-week recovery from a stress fracture in his foot. According to Chris Solari of Detroit Free Press, he is “2 weeks into a 6‑week recovery… plans to be back to full basketball activities in late July.”
Jordan Scott, a freshman small forward, sat out as a precaution. He arrived in Holt with a compression sleeve on his calf, expected to be back next week .
These setbacks are note-worthy—McCulloch could contribute valuable frontcourt minutes, and Scott’s capacity as a wing spark off the bench remains a point of intrigue. Their recovery timelines will bear watching as the summer progresses.
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3. Filling the Scoring Void: Trey Fort Shines
The departure of FAU’s Kaleb Glenn left a scoring deficit—Glenn averaged 12.6 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from deep .
Enter Trey Fort, the 6′4″ Samford transfer who averaged 14.6 ppg last season (including a 36‑point game), and brought his explosiveness to opening night . While his three‑point shot was off early, his quick first step, lightning uptick, and aerial finishes made an immediate impression.
Highlights included:
Dunk after blowing past defenders
Mid-range pull-ups over defenders
A rare 360° doing a layup—“contorted his body and spun while in the air”
Fort’s versatility—able to shoot, drive, mid-range, and finish above the rim—suggests he may absorb some of Glenn’s production. His summer performance will be critical in shaping MSU’s offensive identity.
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4. A Turnaround for Divine Ugochukwu
Divine Ugochukwu, a Miami (FL) transfer expected to back up Jeremy Fears Jr., came into Moneyball with concerns: he shot just 17% from three last season (6×3 in total) .
However, he looked smooth and confident from behind the arc. Early makes both off-the-catch and off-the-dribble attested to improved form and it wasn’t just shooting:
Controlled pace
Right decisions
Steel-like smoothness
If that stroke is for real, MSU suddenly adds another perimeter threat—a comfort for spacing, guard depth, and role rotations off the bench.
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5. Coen Carr’s Highlight Reel
Few surprises here: junior forward Coen Carr hit the hardwood with fireworks, delivering dunk after dunk in classic Moneyball fashion. Social media overflowed:
> “Coen Carr makes his Moneyball debut…”
“Flight 55”
“Carr dunks against Team Fargo”
On SI.com, Aidan Champion called Carr’s performance “otherworldly” and noted—he had 88 points in two games just this week. Senior guard Kur Teng also channeled the summer vibe, leading the league with eight threes .
Carr’s dominance highlights his central role as a go-to bucket-getter and a spoiler on second-chance opportunities. Under relaxed defense, his athleticism is magical; the challenge will be transferring that explosiveness into disciplined, situational plays this winter.
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6. Cam Ward Steps In
Cam Ward, a freshman power forward, joined Carr’s team Motorcars and put in strong flashes on opening night. While specific numbers weren’t detailed, highlight clips implied strong finishes and board work .
Fans were eager to gauge Ward’s impact; early reports suggest he was composed in his debut and will look to build upon this foundation.
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7. What It All Means
Broader Impact: Moneyball fosters early chemistry, trust, and developmental structure—all before official practice begins. It also involves the community in the summer grind and helps build fan excitement .
Summer Storylines: Of note:
Health: Recovery timelines for McCulloch and Scott
Offense: Trey Fort’s role in filling Glenn-sized holes
Perimeter: Ugochukwu’s shooting confidence
Explosiveness: Carr’s aerial dominance and Ward’s foundational nights
Looking Ahead: As long as these players remain healthy, the carries on their performance could keep building. Look for evolving roles, a sharper three-point structure, and how Carr’s dynamism fits into set plays under coach Tom Izzo’s system.
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Final Word
Opening night of Moneyball Pro‑Am provided an essential snapshot of Michigan State’s future potential. With 600+ points of intrigue—covering scoring handoffs, shooting mechanics, shadowed health timelines, and highlight-filled finishes—the tournament delivered plenty:
Trey Fort demonstrated why he could shoulder Glenn’s scoring load.
Divine Ugochukwu quieted early doubts with a confident perimeter display.
Coen Carr dominated the rim-space once again.
Cam Ward showed promise in an early freshman outing.
Recoveries from McCulloch and Scott will shape availability as summer progresses.
While it’s still a park setting and not Spartan play-calling, Moneyball sends early vibes—if forms hold, chemistry clicks, and health improves, Michigan State’s lineup may emerge deeper, more explosive, and better-rounded than anticipated. The build-up to October is already underway in Holt, and the Spartans are making their case—with points, dunks, and promise.