EAST LANSING -- Michigan State is looking for a big man to play alongside its four standout returning starters, and forward who played the most minutes in Tuesday's exhibition win was freshman Gavin Schilling.
Schilling came off the bench to rack up four points, five rebounds and a steal in the Spartans' 101-52 win against Grand Valley State that served as his first performance at Breslin Center. Sophomore Matt Costello started at the five spot and junior Alex Gauna provides a veteran presence, but the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Schilling isn't backing down from a competition for playing time.
"I'm fighting for that fifth starting spot," Schilling said. "Obviously, Coach wants to go with experience first, putting Matt in, but we're going at it in practice. I've been doing a lot of good things so far."
Coach Tom Izzo praised Schilling for his lateral quickness and toughness, having compared him to past players such as Andre Hutson and Antonio Smith.
"Gavin is the best ball screen guy we've got," Izzo said. "He was out there quicker than a cat. I thought he did a great job for a freshman getting up, getting back. That kid's be a hell of a player some day if he keeps improving. He's a little raw right now, but he's going to be very good.
"We're going to be able to use him in a lot of ways I think, plus he can rebound."
The German-born Schilling, who made both his field goal attempts, is developing an offensive game as well. Two summers ago, he spent about two weeks training with Holger Geschwinder, the mentor and personal coach to Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki. The two-hour sessions included work on his shooting touch and footwork on his post moves.
Izzo was pleased with the production from Costello (seven points, two rebounds and a blocked shot in 13 minutes) and Gauna (four points and four rebounds in 12 minutes). Forward Adreian Payne said the addition of Schilling to the mix makes for a good battle for that fifth starter's role.
"We've got a freshman coming in battling for it, and it's great for us because it makes them have competition every day for a spot, and I think that's what we need," Payne said.
"He's good. He's got some growth he's got to do, and he's going to learn. He plays hard, he rebounds, and that's all that we can ask from him right now."
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