Dein erstes Forum » gan State (2-2) has won two straight following season-

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Leonard Floyd figures he will take a moment to scan the stadium, soak it all in. Then it will be time to show what he can do.The Chicago Bears are counting on big things from the outside linebacker after drafting him with the ninth overall pick. That starts with the preseason opener against the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos on Thursday night.I try to do a circle and look at all the fans and stuff, Floyd said. And I get locked in on focusing on the game.It will be a big moment for Floyd and the Bears. Chicago drafted the Georgia standout with the idea that his speed and athleticism would help jolt a defense that lacked playmakers a year ago.Not only will the Bears be getting their first look at Floyd, they will also be seeing receiver Kevin White in a game situation for the first time.The No. 7 pick in the 2015 draft, he was sidelined last season by a fractured shin. Instead of forming a fierce tandem with Alshon Jeffery, White was a spectator.The Bears, meanwhile, are trying to pick themselves up after going 6-10 and finishing last in the NFC North. With just 11 wins over the past two years, they come into their second season under general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox looking for much more.The development of Floyd and White could go a long way toward determining if they get it.Its all about that `exam, Fox said. Those exams are those preseason games and I cant think of a better test than the defending world champs Thursday night.The Bears are trying to build a strong young core under Pace and Fox after years of shaky drafting under former GMs Jerry Angelo and Phil Emery. It sure would help if White and Floyd thrived, and there are big expectations for both players.The 6-foot-4 Floyd is a key addition to a defense that made big strides last season under coordinator Vic Fangio yet still had some huge deficiencies. Chicago rose from 30th to 14th in the rankings but tied for 22nd in sacks and was just 30th in interceptions.The Bears addressed that by overhauling their front seven, adding 336-pound free agent defensive end Akiem Hicks and backing him with inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. With his speed and athleticism, Floyd brings a skillset that management believes will produce bigger numbers in the NFL than in college. Floyd had 4 1/2 sacks for Georgia last season, but he wont be dropping back in coverage the way he did in college.He will also be playing on both sides of the field and occasionally move inside, which could give him an edge over slower guards.It gives me an opportunity to make plays from different areas on the field, Floyd said. Pretty much all outside linebackers have the opportunity to play left, right and sometimes in the middle.The past two weeks have been eye opening for Floyd.Hes been soaking up as much as he can from the coaches as well as veterans such as Willie Young, Sam Acho and Pernell McPhee, trying to improve on his weaknesses. Hes trying to stay patient and focus on the big picture. But he also understands the pressure to make a quick impact.Ive got the highest expectations on myself, he said. I put the most on myself.Game notes Jeffery said no decision has been made about whether he will play on Thursday. The receiver practiced on a limited basis Monday and Tuesday after suffering a mild hamstring strain last week. 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Both Michigan State and St. Johns have to be thrilled about spending their respective Thanksgivings in the Bahamas, but the trip will have an entirely different level of euphoria for Spartans junior guard Lourawls Nairn.It will be special homecoming for Nairn, who was raised in Nassau before moving to the United States when he was 13 in order to pursue opportunities to play basketball.During the three-day Battle 4 Atlantis on Paradise Island, this will be the first and likely only opportunity some family members and friends of Nairns have or ever will see him play basketball in person.Its kind of amazing to be home, Nairn said. Just going back to the school today brought back memories when I was a kid of all the dreams I had of playing basketball in America.Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo called it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Nairn, a player he has praised constantly since he arrived on campus, saying hes got wings following Sundays win over Florida Gulf Coast.Today we got a chance to go out in the community and visit his school and that was educational for our guys, Izzo said during a press conference on Tuesday. Hopefully we get a little basketball, a little enjoyment and a little education. I think its important for us to grow as a team while we are here.The first step for No. 24 Michigan State enjoying its basketball experience over the next three days will come at 7 p.m. on Wednesday against St. Johns in the first round of the tournament.St. Johns is 2-1 in the second season under Chris Mullin, the former star in the 1980s for the Red Storm who is back coaching his alma mater.ddddddddddddComing off a 92-86 loss at Minnesota on Friday, the Red Storm have so far relied heavily on the freshman backcourt combination of Marcus LoVett and Shamorie Ponds.LoVett is averaging 24.3 points a game for the first three games, while Ponds is averaging 17.3 points a game.Michigan State (2-2) has won two straight following season-opening losses to top-10 opponents Arizona and Kentucky, although it barely squeaked by Florida Gulf Coast at home on Sunday, winning 78-77.The Spartans have been led by freshman Miles Bridges (16.0 ppg), but the play of senior Eron Harris was a nice sight on Sunday against Florida Gulf Coast.With Florida Gulf Coast placing a lot of emphasis on containing Bridges, Harris stepped up with 31 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 from 3-point range.The winner will face either Baylor or Virginia Commonwealth in a semifinal on Thanksgiving Day.This will be the first appearance for both teams at the Battle 4 Atlantis, which is now in its sixth year of existence.Its tournaments like this that give you a chance to do a little bonding as a team, Izzo said. It gives you a chance to compare three days in a row, which is more like the NCAA tournament. It gives you a chance to face different kinds of teams. Win, lose or draw, its going to be a good experience for us. ' ' '