Michigan State basketball takeaways, highlights from opening night of Moneyball Pro-Am
McCulloch said he is 2 weeks into a 6-week recovery from a stress fracture in his foot. Plans to be back to full basketball activities in late July. https://t.co/Tn6onBqvwJ
A Michigan State basketball summer tradition is officially back.
The 20th annual Moneyball Pro-Am event tipped off on Tuesday night, with many Spartans once again taking place in this year's event. This event annually provides fans and media some early insight to the upcoming season and helps set expectations for players and the team as a whole -- keeping in mind you have to take any positives with a grain of salt, of course.
The opening night on Tuesday included some interesting takeaways and notes, as we were updated a key injury status, got our first look at some new players and witnessed Coen Carr doing Coen Carr things at the rim.
Here are some of the notable takeaways, thoughts and highlights through social media posts related to the Spartans participating in the opening night of the Moneyball Pro-Am -- courtesy of fans and media with boots on the ground in Holt, Mich.:
Jesse McCulloch recovering from foot injury
Jesse McCulloch -- one of the Spartans' key big men for this upcoming season -- is in he midst of recovering from a stress fracture in his foot. He told Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press that he is expected to back to "full basketball activities" in late July.
McCulloch redshirted this past season and is expected to play some key minutes for the Spartans this upcoming season as either a reserve or potential starter at center.
Incoming freshman also sits out opening night
Another potential injured Spartan to monitor is incoming freshman small forward Jordan Scott. According to Solari, Scott was at Moneyball on Tuesday but was not dressed in uniform and spotted with a sleeve on his left calf but expects to be back playing next week. Scott told Solari it's just a "precautionary move" after tweaking it recently.
Jordan Scott here tonight at Moneyball but not in uniform. Wearing a sleeve on his left calf. No Jeremy Fears either (guessing he's at the NBA draft with his family). Carson Cooper and Trey Fort playing in this first game of the night.
New Spartans PG Divine Ugochukwu impresses
Multiple fans in attendance on opening night posted on social media about Ugochukwu looking impressive, particularly his shot. This is a notable development as the Miami (FL) transfer shot only 17.6% from three-point range last season, with fans noting his shot as a concern as he joins the Spartans this upcoming season.
You can see some of his highlights from the night in the video posted on social media below:
Divine Ugochukwu on the opening night of Moneyball @iamMoneyball pic.twitter.com/DYAfQwSr07
First look at incoming freshman PF Cam Ward
Ward is a player that some expect to have an instant impact on the Spartans this upcoming season. Here are some highlights from his opening night at Moneyball Pro-Am:
Cam Ward on the opening night of Moneyball @iamMoneyball pic.twitter.com/eVkSZIG97I
Positive reviews for MSU transfer SG Trey Fort
Like Ugochukwu, multiple fans had positive things to say about Fort's opening night at Moneyball Pro-Am. The Samford transfer was one of the big gets for the Spartans this offseason and is expected to start for Michigan State this upcoming season.
Highlights from Fort's night can be seen below:
Trey Fort on opening night of Moneyball @iamMoneyball pic.twitter.com/jSmOPaJC06
Coen Carr can still light up the gym
Moneyball Pro-Am always results in fun highlight plays (especially since defense is typically optional), so of course there was going to be at least one Carr massive dunk.
Here are a few of the Carr dunks I found circulating on social media from opening night:
#MoneyballProAm pic.twitter.com/41kNATVRUe
Coen Carr makes his Moneyball debut pic.twitter.com/kCUaHR59ad
Coen Carr on the opening night of Moneyball @iamMoneyball pic.twitter.com/26aWBhnFcJ
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
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