Adreian Payne is projected to be a first-round selection in June’s NBA Draft. On Friday night, he looked like a lottery pick.
Not bad for the rare pro prospect who has stayed in college the full four years.
The 6-foot-10 forward had a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead top-ranked Michigan State to an easy 96-77 win over Virginia Tech in the semifinals of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Barclays Center. The Spartans meet Oklahoma in the finals 9 p.m. Saturday night.
Payne was a likely first-round pick last year, too, but chose to come back to Lansing.
“He’s the perfect example that it’s OK to stay in school and get better,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
Payne had 10 rebounds, dominated Virginia Tech (3-2) inside and also hit four 3-pointers. The senior threw in three blocks and three assists.
“When Payne plays like he did tonight — he’s an inside-outside threat — they’re really tough,” Hokies coach James Johnson said.
Keith Appling, another senior, had 13 points and seven assists for Michigan State (5-0).
In a season in which freshmen — guys such as Duke’s Jabari Parker, Kentucky’s Julius Randle and Andrew Wiggins of Kansas — have drawn all the headlines, the best team in the country is led by a pair of seniors.
“I’m not sure it’s great for college basketball,” Izzo said of the attention given to potential one-and-done players. “I’ve talked to some prominent coaches that feel the same way.”
Sophomore Garry Harris had 19 points and junior Branden Dawson added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans. Adam Smith had 27 points and Jarell Eddie had 23 points for Virginia Tech, which meets Seton Hall in the consolation game 7 p.m. Saturday night.