Before tipoff at the United Center, I posted that I had my fingers crossed that looking ready in warmups would translate to being ready against Duke. A few minutes into the game, I was back on the Spartans Illustrated account with an update.
“They were READY!”
Coen Carr had hit a three. I liked what it could mean for the next possession as much as I liked the three points. If Duke had to think twice about leaving Carr alone on the perimeter, there would be more room for everybody else to work.
That was the fun of taking over the account for the Champions Classic. No. 5 Michigan State was playing No. 2 Duke in Chicago, on a national stage in November, and I got to share what I was seeing while the game was still unfolding. A guy makes a shot, you type out why you think it matters, and by the time you hit post, there’s already something else to watch.
Early on, that was Jasiah Jervis. I noticed Dame Sarr switch onto him, which I took as a compliment to how the freshman had opened the game...
