EAST LANSING — Adreian Payne at center?
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said he was fine with it when he heard the World University Games coaching staff of Bob McKillop, John Beilein and Frank Martin thought that best.
As it turned out, the USA Basketball team struggled to come together and wound up in ninth place after suffering consecutive losses to Australia and Canada.
"I had no problem with them playing him at center,'' Izzo told MLive.com. "I had no problem because, number one, they didn't really have a post.
"I don't know what offense they were running, and I still don't know.''
Izzo, who has always shown an ability to utilize players to their strengths, said he's not concerned about how Payne played in the World University Games, and that the adversity might actually be good for him.
Payne averaged just more than 10 minutes per game and was largely ineffective, averaging 5.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest.
Still, Izzo said the international experience and the time spent playing close to the basket will be good for Payne in the long run.
"In some ways I thought it would be good,'' Izzo said. "In the two games I watched, he had two offensive fouls trying to post too hard. As a staff, we said, `at least he's posting up hard.' ''
Rising sophomore Matt Costello projects as the Spartans starting center this season with Payne at power forward, but Izzo said the Spartans play to utilize the athletic, 6-foot-10, 240-pound Payne in many ways this season.
"We're going to use him all over,'' Izzo said, "because that's what he is, a very versatile offensive player.''
The World University Games coaches never really seemed to figure that out, as the disappointing showing dropped USA Basketball to 144-11 all-time in the tournament.
"I think he could have scored more points in the post,'' Izzo said. "I'm not too worried about it.
"Adreian Payne has had about as good of a spring and summer here as possible, and I couldn't be more pleased with him.''
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