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Michigan State Basketball: Comparing 2015-16 Spartans to this year’s squad

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: Denzel Valentine #45, Eron Harris #14 and Matt Costello #10 of the Michigan State Spartans react against the Maryland Terrapins in the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 12, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: Denzel Valentine #45, Eron Harris #14 and Matt Costello #10 of the Michigan State Spartans react against the Maryland Terrapins in the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 12, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING MI – MARCH 5: Denzel Valentine #45 of the Michigan State Spartan and teammates Eron Harris #14 and Bryn Forbes #5 celebrate a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on March 5, 2016 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Buckeyes 91-76. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING MI – MARCH 5: Denzel Valentine #45 of the Michigan State Spartan and teammates Eron Harris #14 and Bryn Forbes #5 celebrate a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on March 5, 2016 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Buckeyes 91-76. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

The 2015-2016 team had more limitations and obstacles to overcome 

The Spartans of 2015-2016 were good but they had flaws. They had good guard play in Valentine and Forbes but they lacked the explosiveness driving to the basketball and taking their defenders off the dribble. Both players could shoot well from the outside but were not the greatest defenders. They had Eron Harris as the third guard but their overall depth at the guard position was inexperienced and was unable to provide much offense outside of Forbes, Valentine, and even Harris.

The only Big Man that provided much offense for Michigan State that season was Matt Costello. Deyonta Davis was able to score in some games but was not a consistent offensive threat as a true freshman. Marvin Clark and Gavin Schilling were the other two big men that season but neither was able to make significant contributions that season. The strength of the big men was their rebounding ability and they collectively had a good field goal percentage.

Overall, the 2015-2016 squad was able to share the ball and rebound with consistency. The also had a superstar in Valentine and there top three scorers that season were all seniors. However, their only true non-conference road game that season was at Northeastern. Yes, they beat some quality opponents like this year’s team in Louisville and Florida.

They also beat a very good Kansas team on a neutral court but a lot of their quality non-conference wins were close and by single digits. They also lost at home that season to Iowa by 17 and by double digits to Wisconsin and Indiana. In comparison, this season’s team looks to be different in various ways.