EAST LANSING - Players typically dislike having a week off between games if they enter a bye week following a loss.

But junior point guard Keith Appling believes time off between a loss at Ohio State last Sunday and his team's game at Michigan this Sunday has been beneficial.

"I feel like this week off came just at the right time," said Appling. "Kind of an opportunity to get my legs back under me, get back in the gym and work on some things."

Appling, who leads the Spartans in scoring (13.4) and assists (3.8) this season, struggled in back-to-back losses against Indiana and Ohio State. He shot 2 of 14 from the floor and 0 of 10 from behind the 3-point line in the two games since he scored 16 points in a road victory at Nebraska on Feb. 16.

Physical and mental fatigue have both worked against Appling during his team's two-game skid.

"I just have to suck it up," said Appling. "I just have to stay confident and trust my teammates."

Back-up point guard Travis Trice expects Appling to bounce back with a strong game against Michigan.

"He has been struggling a little bit as of late, but the type of player that he is, he is going to bounce back," said Trice.
"Anytime he has one or two games like that, I am like alright this third game he is going to have a good game. Nobody has lost any faith in him because they know what kind of guy he is."



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