Derrick Nix

[...] Michigan State has struggled to find the right big men combinations this season. 6'10 sophomore Garrick Sherman has been an occasional starter, but he's unathletic and a mediocre rebounder, who struggles to guard anybody. He is at the least a good passer, who makes his open looks around the basket, so much so that he shoots the odd percentages of 69% from the field and 37% from the foul line. (Is that better or worse than shooting 37% from the field and 69% from the line?) Speaking of terrible free throw shooting, very strong sophomore centre Derrick Nix has almost doubled his percentage, from 27% last season to 53% in this. But it's about the only thing he's improved; he is still overweight, clumsy and easily exposed in quicker matchups. Athletic freshman Adreian Payne has had his moments in the paint, but not without a huge amount of mistakes; this leaves 6'8 junior Delvon Roe as the only consistent frontcourt performer. Roe has reinvented himself into a technically precise defensive presence and good rebounder, who contributes some finishes around the rim, if not a whole lot of creating. Worryingly, however, he continues to have knee problems.