Tom Izzo has Michigan State basketball trending upward as the calendar flips toward Big Ten play, but if the Spartans want to make a serious run at repeating, there are a few key areas that need tightening up. The foundation is strong - the post play has been physical and effective, the rebounding effort is elite, and Jeremy Fears is playing the best basketball of his young career. But for a team with championship aspirations, the margin for error shrinks fast once conference play kicks into high gear.
Let’s break down the three biggest issues Izzo and his staff need to address before the Big Ten grind resumes in January.
1. Turnovers: The Achilles’ Heel of Offensive Rhythm
Izzo has been searching for answers when it comes to turnovers, and rightfully so. It’s not just the number - it’s the nature of them. Too many of Michigan State’s giveaways are unforced, which is especially frustrating for a coach who preaches discipline and execution.
Look at the contrast: Against Duke, the Spartans committed just five turnovers - and they were right there, toe-to-toe with one of the nation's best. That kind of ball security gave them a real shot at a statement win.
Fast forward to the Penn State game, and suddenly the number jumps to 17. That’s a massive swing, and it nearly cost them a very winnable road game.
Against Toledo, it was 15. Oakland?
- The trend is moving in the right direction, but it’s not quite where it needs to be.
If Michigan State wants to survive the gauntlet of Big Ten play, they can’t afford to average 12-15 turnovers a night. That’s how close games slip away late. Izzo’s teams have always been built on toughness and attention to detail - cutting down the careless mistakes is step one in getting back to that identity.
2. Putting Teams Away: A Mental Hurdle
Michigan State has shown flashes of dominance this season, but too often, those flashes fade just when they should be turning into knockout punches. This is a team that builds leads - and then lets opponents hang around.
Take the Duke game: the Spartans had a five-point lead in the second half with momentum on their side, and then they eased off the throttle. Duke pounced, flipped the script, and walked away with the win.
Against Penn State, Michigan State built a double-digit lead in the second half - only to watch the Nittany Lions claw back and take the lead before Divine Ugochukwu bailed them out. The Toledo game?
A 30-point halftime lead shrunk to 20. Against Oakland, a 12-point cushion in the second half became a six-point nail-biter.
This isn’t a talent issue - it’s a mindset issue. The Spartans have the firepower to put teams away, but they’re not always finishing the job.
That killer instinct - the ability to step on the gas and not let up - is what separates good teams from great ones. If Michigan State wants to be the latter, they need to find that gear and stay in it.
3. The Two-Guard Conundrum
This might be the most pressing on-court issue right now: finding consistency at the two-guard spot.
Divine Ugochukwu has stepped into the starting role, and he’s brought energy and defensive tenacity. But that move has created a ripple effect - it forces Denham Wojcik into more backup point guard minutes, and that’s where things get dicey.
When Fears comes off the floor, the drop-off - on both ends - is noticeable. The offense loses its rhythm, and the defense isn’t as tight.
The Spartans haven’t found a reliable answer behind Ugochukwu at the two. Jordan Scott, Kur Teng, and Trey Fort have all had opportunities, but no one has seized the role. Maybe the solution is a rotation - let those three battle it out for minutes, and slide Ugochukwu back into a hybrid role where he can spell Fears at the one while still logging quality minutes at the two.
Whatever the answer is, it needs to come soon. Big Ten opponents will exploit any inconsistency in the backcourt, and right now, Michigan State’s guard rotation is still a work in progress.
Honorable Mention: Solving the Zone Puzzle
It’s no secret - if you want to slow down Michigan State, throw a zone at them. It’s been a thorn in Tom Izzo’s side for years, and opposing coaches know it. The Spartans have struggled to consistently break down zone defenses, and until they do, it’s going to remain a go-to strategy for teams trying to disrupt their flow.
This isn’t just about knocking down threes - it’s about movement, spacing, and decision-making. If the Spartans can figure out how to attack the zone with purpose, they’ll open up a whole new dimension offensively. And that could be the difference between a good season and a great one.
Bottom Line:
Michigan State is trending in the right direction, but the Big Ten doesn’t wait for anyone.
The Spartans have the talent, the coaching, and the pedigree to make noise - but only if they clean up the details. Limit the turnovers.
Finish games. Lock down the backcourt rotation.
Solve the zone.
If they do that, watch out. Because when a Tom Izzo team starts clicking in January, history tells us they’re not just dangerous - they’re built for March.