Costello, Schilling face telling night vs. Duke

EAST LANSING — For Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling, there is nowhere left to hide.

No more off-the-radar games against inferior foes, or NBA-caliber talent playing in front of them to shield the Spartans from their weaknesses. No more time to sit rather than be embarrassed.

If Michigan State’s two centers aren’t ready for primetime, it’ll be obvious tonight when MSU plays Duke in the fourth installment of the annual Champions Classic.

On a team filled with new parts and players unproven in their new roles, there is no greater position in question than center.

Costello and Schilling are replacing Adreian Payne (now with the Atlanta Hawks) and, before him, Derrick Nix — both gifted and versatile offensive players, formidable defenders and, in Payne’s case, a ferocious above-the-rim athlete.

Tonight in Indianapolis, Costello and Schilling begin to define their own careers, for better or worse. They are charged with defending Duke all-hemisphere freshman Jahlil Okafor and his backup, Marshall Plumlee, the 34th Plumlee brother to make his way through coach Mike Kryzezwski’s fourth-ranked program. - Read more at LSJ.com