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Michigan State vs. North Carolina: Who will win the position battles in this PK80 showdown?

By Tristan Freeman

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 04: Fans look at newspapers while the North Carolina Tar Heels starting lineup is introduced prior to playing the Michigan State Spartans at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 4, 2013 in East Lansing, Michigan. North Carolina won the game 79-65. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 04: Fans look at newspapers while the North Carolina Tar Heels starting lineup is introduced prior to playing the Michigan State Spartans at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 4, 2013 in East Lansing, Michigan. North Carolina won the game 79-65. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 23: Luke Maye
PORTLAND, OR – NOVEMBER 23: Luke Maye /

Power forward: Luke Maye vs. Jaren Jackson

These two guys couldn’t have had a more different entrance in college basketball. The Spartans’ Jaren Jackson was a top-ten high school commit for Tom Izzo and is likely staying for one season. In the Champions Classic, it was Jackson that opened the most eyes with his team-high 19 points.

He’s fallen off slightly in the scoring department, averaging just 11.4 ppg this early season. But he’s been great in all the other facets of the game, getting 8.8 rpg and playing good defense. At 6’11 and capable of shooting threes, he’s a match-up nightmare for most opponents.

Luke Maye didn’t come in with that kind of excitement. In fact, no one even knew of the preferred walk-on. But towards the end of last year, Roy Williams started to play him more and more, despite being so deep with post players. The faith in Maye paid off in the biggest way, with a game-winner shot against Kentucky to send the Tar Heels to the Final Four.

He was the feel-good story last year, but there are nothing opponents feel good about playing him this year. He’s exploded on the scene averaging 21.2 ppg and 10.8 rpg and had 28 points and 12 rebounds to take care of Arkansas in the semifinals.

Jackson has the much higher ceiling in terms of pro prospects, but, when it comes to college game, it’s Maye that you would rather have. It’s one thing for UNC to get great players out of high school, but it’s just unfair to everyone else when the walk-ons become legit All-ACC players.

Edge: Maye

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