Coen Carr looks comfortable at PF spot vs. Valencia
Game 2 in Spain is in the books and Michigan State basketball put forth a much more complete effort against Valencia on Sunday afternoon, winning 105-59.
While this was a much more complete effort, the scoring was balanced from top to bottom.
In fact, there were 13 players who scored between two and 11 points but one player happened to be an extreme outlier. That was Coen Carr. The sophomore forward had a monster game, scoring 20 points on 10-for-11 shooting (with nine dunks) and his one missed was a dunk attempt and he dropped and did push ups on the spot (love that).
On top of the 20 points on a near-perfect shooting percentage, Carr added seven rebounds and looked like the best player on the floor.
What did we learn from his performance? He's most comfortable and well-suited for the four.
Coen Carr with a quick 6 playing at the PF spot. A transition two hand slam in traffic and a mid ranger off the backboard from the FT line. Then a trail transition drive and one. So much more natural at the 4 spot
— DK (@SpartanHoops_DK) August 18, 2024
Carr looked like he was playing much more freely and he held his own on both ends of the floor which had to be a comforting sign for Tom Izzo who might be looking for someone besides Xavier Booker to play that four spot.
Even if Izzo wants to do a little more small-ball and athletic lineups, Carr would fit in nicely at the four next to Booker who can slide over to the five and we saw that on Sunday.
A lineup where Booker can play the five and Carr plays the four with Frankie Fidler, Jaden Akins, and Jeremy Fears would probably give Michigan State its best and most athletic group with the highest upside.
Carr's breakout game proved that the Spartans will have plenty of lineup options and flexibility.