Michigan State Escapes Happy Valley, But Izzo Wants More
Michigan State walked out of the Bryce Jordan Center with a Big Ten road win on Saturday - but if you know Tom Izzo, you know that’s not enough to make him smile for long. The Hall of Fame coach wasn’t exactly celebrating after his Spartans edged past Penn State, and he made it clear why: the missed layups.
And we’re not talking about one or two here. Michigan State finished just 6-of-18 at the rim, and when that stat was brought up postgame, Izzo didn’t hold back.
In fact, he suggested that even that number might be generous. It’s been a recurring issue this season, and you can bet it’ll be a point of emphasis in practice this week.
Because in the Big Ten - especially on the road - you can’t afford to leave that many points on the floor.
Still, a win is a win, and Izzo knows how tough it is to grab one away from home in this conference. Penn State came in licking its wounds after a 40-point loss to Indiana, but they didn’t play like a team still reeling. They were aggressive, energetic, and made Michigan State work for everything in front of a sparse Bryce Jordan Center crowd.
What helped the Spartans survive? Divine Ugochukwu.
The sophomore transfer from Miami had his breakout moment, going a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc and finishing with a career-high 23 points. He didn’t just shoot well - he shot with confidence, rhythm, and purpose.
It was the kind of performance that changes rotations.
Izzo clearly sees something in Ugochukwu, slotting him in at shooting guard instead of using him as a backup point guard behind Jeremy Fears Jr. That shift in role paid off in a big way on Saturday. Ugochukwu gave Michigan State a needed scoring punch from the perimeter - something that’s been inconsistent early in the season.
The backcourt rotation still has some questions, though. Denham Wojcik saw extended minutes, but it’s fair to wonder how sustainable that is once the grind of Big Ten play ramps up. Playing 10-plus minutes a night in this league is no small task, and it remains to be seen if Wojcik is quite ready for that load against top-tier competition.
But for now, Michigan State moves to 2-0 in conference play. That’s the kind of start Izzo will take, even if the execution still leaves plenty to be desired.
Ranking Watch: Will the Spartans Slide?
With the win, Michigan State should stay in the top 10, but don’t be surprised if they slip a spot when the new rankings drop. Last week, they only fell two places after a home loss to Duke - a testament to the respect voters have for this team’s talent and schedule. But escaping a young Penn State squad that came in as a double-digit underdog might not impress the pollsters.
Meanwhile, BYU’s come-from-behind win over Clemson could give them a bump - possibly enough to leapfrog the Spartans.
If that happens, Michigan State could find itself sitting at No. 10 on Monday. Not a bad place to be in mid-December, and certainly not a cause for panic. The Spartans are still very much in the national conversation, and with conference play heating up in January - including a marquee matchup at Nebraska - the real tests are just beginning.
Izzo’s team has the pieces. Now it’s about putting them together consistently. And if Saturday’s game was any indication, there's still work to be done - especially around the rim.