Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from first exhibition win

Feb 1, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Bryn Forbes (5) reacts to a play during the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. The Spartans won 76-66. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

2. Bryn Forbes will be a breakout star

All the talk heading into the first exhibition game of the season was about the mammoth improvement of shooting guard Bryn Forbes who had apparently been the Spartans’ summer MVP, according to head coach Tom Izzo.

Besides putting some more muscle on a thin frame, Forbes has taken his jump shot to the next level as Izzo has even compared him to J.J. Redick — who happens to be one of the greatest shooters in the history of college basketball. That seemed like an exaggeration, but Forbes proved him right against Northern Michigan, playing just 18 minutes and scoring 23 points.

Yes, that would mean he was on pace for nearly 50 points if he played all 40 minutes. Just an incredible confidence improvement from last season as well for the Cleveland State transfer.

Not only did Forbes drop 23 points in less than a half of play — in terms of minutes — but he attempted 10 three-pointers and made seven of them. Last season, he shot about 43 percent from long-range and he looks even better this year.

It’s very possible that we could see Forbes make at least 45 percent of his threes this season while becoming the team’s second or third-leading scorer — I think Valentine is a lock for the top spot.

Next: 1. Denzel Valentine is Draymond Green