NCAA: Missing Piece For Top Teams Entering Conference Play

Dec 22, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Gavin Schilling (34), forward Marvin Clark Jr. (15), guard Lourawls Nairn Jr. (11) and Eron Harris (14) during the second half against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Michigan State won 99-93 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 29, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) watches from the bench during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State: Finding Success Beyond Denzel Valentine

Probably the most obvious of the bunch is Michigan State’s struggles without Denzel Valentine.

It’s been just two games, but getting taken to overtime by Oakland and dropping their Big Ten opener at Iowa on Tuesday doesn’t bode well.

Obviously it’s almost impossible to replace somebody who leads your team is every statistical category imaginable, but that’s what the Spartans have to do until Valentine can get back on the floor.

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The good thing for Michigan State, though, is that their next three games are at Minnesota, home against Illinois and at Penn State, so there’s some good measuring stick games for the rest of the roster to figure things out.

Valentine may be irreplaceable, but they can buy themselves some time in the next three games and figure out what they are beyond him then just add him back into the mix.