Breaking Down Portland’s Non-Conference Schedule
By Josh Horton
Mar. 7, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans center Adreian Payne (5) posts up against Wisconsin Badgers guard/forward Ryan Evans (5) during 1st half at Jack Breslin Students Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State
Monday, November 18th. East Lansing, Michigan.
Last Season: 24-9 (13-5 Big Ten). Sweet Sixteen.
The Spartans are easily the best opponent on the Pilots’ non-conference schedule. Tom Izzo is bringing back a loaded roster, chock-full of elite players such as Gary Harris, Keith Appling, and Adreian Payne. The Pilots sport a relatively young backcourt, and the savvy of Harris and the experience of Appling could prove detrimental to Portland’s chances of winning this game. It will be intriguing to see how Pilot forward Ryan Nicholas holds up against Adreian Payne, who is one of the most explosive big men in college basketball.