Senior transfer Brandon Wood did his job well during one year at Michigan State

 Photo: Flickr Creative Commons -- Senior transfer Brandon Wood probably didn't get the credit he deserved this year, but he was an effective player, nonetheless. He performed well during one year with Michigan State.


By Adam Biggers
@AdamBiggers81

Expectations were high for Brandon Wood. But he lived up to them.

The senior transfer from Valparaiso had never played in the Big Ten, or major college conference, prior to joining the Michigan State Spartans for the 2011-12 season. He had lit up the scoreboard while in the Horizon League with Valpo, averaging 17 points per game over a two-year span.

Although his numbers at Michigan State were down when compared to his numbers at Valpo, Wood played well for the Spartans, helping to lead them to a Sweet 16—their 10th under coach Tom Izzo.

Wood averaged 8.8 points per game, an average that doesn't immediately suggest he was all that effective. However, he unleashed his true scoring ability in March and in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, a stage he said he wanted to play on; hence, he transferred to a program that dances each March.

Against Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game, Wood had his finest game with Michigan State. He shot 8-for-14 from the floor and scored 21 points in the Spartans' 68-64 victory. Although he shot just 1-for-4 from the line, his accuracy from the field and 21 points more than made up for it.

AdChoices

Sure, Wood was a bit up-and-down. But again, keep in mind the transition from the Horizon League to the Big Ten is a large one. I anticipated 8-10 points per game from him, figuring they would be enough to keep him on the floor with steady minutes.

A seven-point performance in the tournament-opener against LIU-Brooklyn left a little to be desired. But Wood followed with 10 points in the Spartans' hard-fought victory over St. Louis in the Round of 32.

He was one of the lone bright spots in the Spartans' 57-44 Sweet 16 loss to Louisville, which featured a defense that led it to the Final Four. Michigan State couldn't get production from anyone, but Wood, new to the March Madness that surrounded him, shot 5-for-8 from the floor and scored 14 points in 31 minutes. He and Draymond Green were the only two Spartans in double-figures.

Particularly impressive were his two standout games against Duke and Florida State, both of which made the tournament and were two of the strongest teams in the ACC. Wood scored 15 in a 74-69 loss to then sixth-ranked Duke, adding 16 two weeks later in a 65-49 victory over Florida State.

When the Spartans needed a boost, Wood came through. With Green dominating nearly every game, or nights when Keith Appling let loose, Wood blended in. But when others had off-shooting nights, or the Spartans needed a shot from the wing, Wood was a player that could be counted on, despite an inconsistent, but efficient year.

However, don't get caught up by looking at scoring stats alone (he was a decent facilitator, too). Wood's maturity, experience and leadership qualities probably didn't get enough press. Those were his best attributes. It helped having another level-headed veteran to complement Green and Austin Thornton.

Michigan State's trouncing of UMKC was an effective pre-Big Ten tune-up

This article was originally published on Yahoo! Sports
By Adam Biggers

Sure, the 19th-ranked Michigan State Spartans have one more non-conference battle before hosting the Indiana Hoosiers on Dec. 28 at the Breslin Center—they host Lehigh on Dec. 22—but Monday night's 89-54 romping of the University of Missouri-Kansas City was a great step toward heading into the Holiday break with a healthy confidence.

The game was over before it started, really. Michigan State had beaten 61 prior un-ranked, non-conference teams at the Breslin Center, stemming back to Dec. 30, 2002, and there was little doubt that they'd make it 62 with a win over UMKC.

Michigan State (10-2) jumped out to a 16-2 lead over the 'Roos (7-6, 1-1) by way of Derrick Nix's lefty-hook and never looked back. It was clear that the Spartans would roll onto a sizable victory after that play, although, there were plenty more on the way.

Freshman Branden Dawson scored a career-high 16 points, shooting 8-for-12 from the field and throwing down a couple raucous dunks in the process. Spartans coach Tom Izzo recently said that it would only be a matter of time before Dawson became a star at Michigan State.

While Dawson's ravaging of a Summit League opponent doesn't qualify him for stardom just yet, he's had showings against better foes that have suggested he'll be there soon.

Dawson continues to look more and more like the five-star phenom Spartans followers couldn't wait to see play. With a little brushing up on his perimeter defense—he was burned twice, by my count, Monday—he'll be the real deal.

Seniors Draymond Green and Brandon Wood also turned in spirited performances, with Green tallying 10 points and 11 rebounds and Wood finishing with 16 points (3-for-3 from 3-point range).

Green… well, what more could be said about Green? Even against what fans—not the Spartans—would call a "cupcake" team, he battled in the paint, crashed the boards and hit the deck for loose balls. The Spartans are his to command, and he showed why he's well-respected—he never lets up.

Nix, a junior, looked good in the paint, however, he appeared to roll his left foot when going up for a rebound in the second half. He returned to the bench under his own power, and by the looks of things, he'll live. Along with Nix, Adreian Payne helped limit the 'Roos to nearly zero production in the paint.

In fact, the 'Roos, who came in as one of the nation's top 3-point shooting teams (42 percent), looked hesitant to come inside the perimeter. That hesitation was warranted, as the Spartans blocked six shots in the first 20 minutes, forcing the 'Roos to stick to what they knew, and that was shooting the long ball.

But, that didn't work out too well for UMKC, which shot 22 percent from beyond the arc in the first half and a sub-par 31 percent from the floor. The poor shooting performances, along with a stingy and powerful Spartans defense, led UMKC to a 40-20 deficit at the break.

A few good looks…

There were plenty of unselfish plays to go around Monday night. The Spartans had 14 assists at the half, and Izzo praised the Spartans' willingness to spread the ball around during his post-game interview with the Big Ten Network's Greg Kelser (Special K).

Nix's hustle in the first half was something to take note of. He's been giving more effort, it seems, each and every game. After sinking his lefty-hook in the first half, he ran down the floor, blocking Fred Chatmon's shot at an open lay-up.

Dawson's dunks were the icing on the cake. His best came in the first half. He took advantage of the mismatch, leaped from right edge of the charge circle and threw down a nice one-handed flush. It was a highlight dunk you'll see on all the recap shows, trust me.

The play gave Michigan State a 23-11 edge and let the flood gates open. Well, there were a couple plays that could be given credit for that, but that's one I chose to cite. Dawson's one-handed, breakaway dunk in the second half gave the Spartans a 51-23 cushion. That was a morale-crushing play, too.

Wood helped ensure the Spartans would post a beyond-lopsided victory with a dagger 3-pointer with about six minutes to play, giving Michigan State a 76-46 lead.

Walk it out, walk-ons…

Keenan Wetzel, seemingly eighth-year senior Anthony Ianni and even Dan Chapman got a little action. It was nice to see Ianni sink a free-throw, as he's been a guy who I've really admired for giving a lot with little in return—kind of like a bigger, meatier Tom Herzog. Those guys make the program go 'round, believe it or not.

Adam Biggers has followed NCAA basketball for over 20 years, specifically the Michigan State Spartans. He can be reached by e-mail at Adam.Biggers @Yahoo.com, or, by Twitter @AdamBiggers81.