Michigan State Basketball: Bryn Forbes, Matt Costello Keys to Success This Year

Michigan State clicks when Bryn Forbes and Matt Costello are clicking—look no further than the Spartans’ 66-46 victory Wednesday night over Eastern Michigan for proof of that.

Finally without a guard on his left hand/wrist, Forbes shot an efficient 4-of-8 from the field en route to scoring 14 points, his second highest total of the young season.

The 6’3”, 175-pound transfer from Cleveland State tilts the offensive balance in favor of the No. 22-ranked Spartans. The junior fills the role of marksman/stat-stuffer quite nicely; he could develop into one of Tom Izzo’s most impressive scorers.

At 6’9” and 245 pounds, Costello has the frame to control the paint. The junior looked true to form Wednesday night while scoring 10 points, grabbing nine boards and swatting a shot—a solid line regardless of the opposition.

They’re not the stars of the team, but in terms of importance, they’re right there alongside them. In order for Izzo’s team to function at its highest level, Forbes and Costello have to be tuned up accordingly—like they were Wednesday night, for instance.

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Minutes
Bryn Forbes	10.8	1.6	1.3	29
Matt Costello	7.4	6.2	0.6	19

Costello Could Be...

Yeah, yeah, yeah—a win over Eastern Michigan isn’t a big deal.

True enough.

But to be fair, the Eagles didn’t enter the Breslin Center as your standard underdogs; they were on the hunt for their second win over in-state big boys this year, and knocking off the Spartans in East Lansing would have been a great complement to their 45-42 victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Costello didn’t let that happen.

Honestly, he looked just about as good as he ever has. Evidently, he found the same zone he had this past season when he scored 11 points and snagged 12 boards during a 71-69 overtime road win over Iowa.

Costello’s sometimes-aggressive nature suits a team that is looking for a menace in the paint. He doesn’t do it all of the time, but he proved Wednesday night that he could indeed be the big that Izzo needs—someone who can clean the glass and manufacture second, and sometimes third, scoring opportunities.

Generally speaking, Michigan State is starting to gain ground in rebound land. Those gains will multiply once Costello consistently claims his territory each game. Thus far, he’s been a temporary tenant in the paint. However, full-time residency is required in order for the Spartans to reach their peak.

Michigan State is 6-0 when Costello goes for double digits. Interpret as you will.

Thanks, Cleveland State

Forbes brings value, plain and simple.

He brings it to the three-point line, where he’s the No. 1-ranked perimeter team’s top gun; through 11 games, the former Horizon League savant is shooting a team-leading 50.9 percent from long range. As a team, the Spartans shoot 45.6 percent.

Forbes plus ball equals three.

He doesn’t get to the line that often, but he’s a lock when he does. Knocking down roughly 90 percent of free throws is a sure way to log minutes. In short, Forbes was exactly the offensive boost Michigan State needed after the dismissal of Kenny Kaminski this past summer.

Forbes’ speed and ability to create shots have made an immediate impact. As far as transfers go, he couldn’t be much better for a team that’s capable of contending for a Big Ten title.

Now that he’s approaching full health, which is at a premium for Michigan State, look for him to continue padding the Spartans’ gaudy average from the perimeter. Forbes has made three or more in a game five times this season.

Costello’s position has always been his for the taking. The door has been open for two years; it’s just been a matter of when—not if—he plans to claim it.

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan State Spartans basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81