Pivotal Player: Charlie Bell
By Jay Bilas
Special to ESPN.com
Charlie Bell may be the best rebounding guard in his region. He is strong, athletic and outstanding on the break. He will either grab a defensive rebound to start Michigan State's transition, or he will break out and run the lane effectively. And when the Spartans run, watch out.
|  | | Charlie Bell doubles as Michigan State's secondary ball-handler and perimeter scorer. |
While opponents used to just wait for Bell around the basket, he is now spotting up and drilling 3-pointers. However, Bell is still strong along the baseline and a solid offensive rebounder for a guard. Teams must beware of forgetting about Bell. If he is ignored, Bell can drop 25 points on any team.
With Mateen Cleaves out of the lineup early in the season, Bell picked up his scoring. He reached double-figures in nine of 13 games, including three games topping 20 points.
That's not to say his scoring dipped when Cleaves returned. Bell hit for a season-high 31 against Michigan.
Ball-handling is one of Bell's strengths. Even though Spartan rebounders often look for Cleaves first on the break, Bell is another quality ball-handling option. Bell has also become a more dangerous halfcourt player. He is working off screens more effectively and can shoot both a spot-up jumper or off the dribble. Defensively, Bell is versatile because he can guard a bigger man or a point guard equally well.
Bell will be a valued contributor in the first two rounds because he is mentally and physically tough. I have always been a big fan of his and admired the way he plays. All you have to do is look at who Tom Izzo relied on to run the show when Cleaves was out. Ultimately, it was Bell. |
