Garrick Sherman: How He and Michigan State Basketball Both Win and Lose

It's apparent whenever a player gets released from a team that someone walks out a winner while the other hangs their head as a loser, and the Michigan State men’s basketball team was no exception in this brutal season.

Just think about it: Chris Allen lost out on possibly developing an NBA résumé when he was cut, but the Spartans were also on the losing side when they booted Korie Lucious since it left Kalin Lucas as the only experienced guard.

What may be odd, though, is the fact that when sophomore center Garrick Sherman transfers elsewhere next fall, neither Michigan State nor Sherman will be winning (and not the Charlie Sheen kind) or losing.

Why Michigan State Is Winning

Other than a really polite kid, the Spartans are only losing 3.1 points and 2.6 rebounds a game, which could very easily be replaced by the three other frontcourt threats.

Delvon Roe, MSU’s primary post player, averaged just over three more points and rebounds per game, and Adreian Payne along with Derrick Nix nearly matched his stats in even less minutes than Sherman.

With those two gaining more minutes next year, that will increase experience and that usually translates to more points and rebounds, which the Spartans could really use.

Michigan State also gained another scholarship that they can use on another big man, or bring in another guard in order to take pressure off the young Keith Appling and recruit Travis Trice.

Why Michigan State Is Losing

What do you mean losing Garrick Sherman is a plus?!?

We’re losing a 70-percent shooter, so you know he isn’t selfish, which was a disease that plagued the Spartans early on in the year.

Not only that, but the green and white are losing a kid that started half of last year’s games, and that will leave an experience gap that you just can’t fill with a bench player.

And besides, what will happen if Roe’s knees fail him this year? Are we going to have to rely on Derrick Nix, whose work ethic is constantly questioned, or Adreian Payne, who is coming off of an arm injury?

Either way, Garrick Sherman was the healthiest and most experienced alternative for MSU’s big men if they ever needed a bail out.

Why Garrick Sherman Is Leaving as a Winner

Just like he said, “It’s time for a fresh start and a new opportunity,” and there is no better way to do it than start over from square one at a new school.

Sherman also may have looked at the talent around him, whether it be Nix or Payne, and it could have also been the fact the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year Matt Costello would be coming into his senior year to grab some of his minutes.

Also, it's just clear that Garrick Sherman doesn’t have what it takes to be elite in the Big Ten conference, so moving to a smaller school would make him a big fish in a little pond, which is what Sherman is looking for.

Why Garrick Sherman Is Leaving as a Loser

Moving to a small school—seriously?

Isn’t the reason you bust your behind throughout AAU and high school to get on a big championship-contending team? And why would you want to play anywhere else but in front of the Izzone and the rest of MSU’s great fanbase?

If it’s the education that he’s concerned about, then why would he transfer out of Michigan State with his agribusiness major, whose school originated as an agricultural school?

Unfortunately, only our man Garrick Sherman can answer these questions.

What you see here is a perfect, yet rare, example of how both parties don’t benefit or drop anything from a player getting cut.

Wherever Sherman may go to in the fall, I wish luck to him and his team.