Michigan State Shows Grit in Narrow Loss to Michigan
Sunday's clash between Michigan State and Michigan was a nail-biter, with the Spartans putting up a valiant fight before falling 90-80. While the outcome wasn’t what the Spartans hoped for, this game offered plenty of teachable moments. Despite the sweep by Michigan, Tom Izzo’s squad is poised to bounce back, with the Big Ten Tournament and March Madness on the horizon.
Jaxon Kohler's Resurgence
Just a few weeks ago, concerns were swirling around Jaxon Kohler’s performance. His recent games, however, have silenced the doubters.
Kohler was a standout on Sunday, leading the Spartans with 23 points on an impressive 10-of-13 shooting. He also grabbed eight rebounds, showcasing his ability to battle Michigan's formidable frontcourt.
Kohler's return to form couldn't have come at a better time for Michigan State.
Bench Struggles and Depth Concerns
The Spartans' depth has been thinning as the season progresses, and it showed on Sunday. Only Cam Ward and Kur Teng are seeing significant minutes off the bench.
Ward struggled, going scoreless with just one rebound and four fouls. Teng contributed eight points, but it took him eight shots to get there.
Michigan’s bench outscored the Spartans’ 29-8, highlighting a potential concern as the tournament season approaches. The starters are performing well, but the lack of bench production is something to keep an eye on.
Proving They Can Compete with the Best
For those doubting Michigan State's ability to compete with top teams, Sunday’s game was a testament to their resilience. Despite the final score, the Spartans were in control at various points, even holding a four-point lead midway through the second half.
Unfortunately, a few mental lapses and execution errors down the stretch allowed Michigan to pull away. Yet, the Spartans have shown they can hang with anyone, maintaining late leads against heavyweights like Duke and Nebraska this season.
As March approaches, Michigan State's ability to learn from these experiences will be crucial. They’ve demonstrated they can compete at the highest level, and with Izzo at the helm, they’re more than capable of making a deep run.