The Michigan State Spartans played their first ever Christmas Day basketball game, as they hosted the Wisconsin Badgers. For the first time since the Devin Harris game of 2004, the Badgers left East Lansing victorious, snapping a twelve-game losing streak at the Breslin Center. Our TSR team delivers our immediate reactions to the defeat:
NICK
- The green/red jersey combo was a perfect idea for Christmas. I love the idea of celebrating the holidays with some great uniforms. I think that the Spartans should host a green/red Christmas Day game each year. Make us the Detroit Lions/Dallas Cowboys of college basketball, while we play a plethora of red teams. But stick to real red opponents, not maroon (looking at you Minnesota).
- Turnovers happen in basketball. The Spartans had fourteen of them, their exact season average. The big difference in this game was the fact that Wisconsin scored twenty-four points off of those turnovers. Add the fact that Michigan State missed a dozen shots near the basket, and the Spartans clearly beat themselves in this game.
- The 12-0 run to close the first half and open the second half felt like one of those runs that was going to put away Wisconsin, much like we saw in early-season victories. Shortly thereafter, things began to unravel and Wisconsin went on a 15-5 run to regain the lead.
- I know we got one of the greatest guards in program in history (Cassius Winston) instead, but not landing Trice stung for the first time today, as he burnt the Spartans today for 29 points with Travis in attendance.
- Rocket Watts showed spurts of handling the PG position today, as he dealt out a career-high seven assists. At other times, he played in a way that was detrimental to this offense. He needs to find a level of consistency if this team is going to reach its full potential.
- I’m tired of seeing the TK slander on Twitter. Yes, he is not the reliable scorer that post players of the recent past (Xavier Tillman, Nick Ward, Jaren Jackson) have been. But that’s not his role! You don’t need five starters who can score on command. He fits perfectly into his role on this team. Kithier plays valuable minutes and allows the Spartans to have scoring threats come off of the bench to balance out the offensive options.
- We are only two games into the B1G season, and it’s time for my favorite reminder of the season. TRUST TOM IZZO. He has won 10 regular season B1G titles for a reason. He knows how to coach! If playing the lineups now will improve the team’s chances in March, then he will do it. The man is a mastermind that deserves the benefit of the doubt. Don’t overreact to this 0-2 league start, no matter how upset you are about it.
SAM
- Playing on Christmas sounded odd to me at first but this was a really good idea for a conference who is desperate for them (Please come back, Jim Delaney). It stinks the NBA started earlier than expected and we’re competing with them, but people with an appreciation for good basketball have got to love the Big Ten quadruple-header today.
- Where did this game turn? I proclaimed aloud I thought it would, as we went up 9 then followed that up by allowing a three-pointer and a turnover. A couple of free throws later and we’re only up 4. Quite frankly, this team just can’t defend. Coming into today it ranked just 49th in Adjusted Defensive efficiency according to KenPom, and that number is sure to drop (now 62nd), After 4 stops to start the game, it felt like they were few and far between after that. The point guard dilemma is real and it isn’t going anywhere. And it’s no more evident on the defensive end. Foster ran the offense really well in the second half, but the Badgers continued to post up the guard he was covering and took him to town. We can’t have that happen. But we also can’t have Rocket disrupting the offensive flow when he tries to too often play iso-ball. He was really good in the first half, not so much the second. We need to figure the point guard spot out, and fast.
- Wisconsin is a veteran team, and they did what Wisconsin always does. They played tough and always had someone there to get them a bucket. Aleem Ford had the first seven for the Badgers, then struggled with fouls and scored just six more the rest of the way. And of course, we had the D’Mitrik Trice heater at the start of the second half. Add to that, Nate Reuvers seemingly couldn’t miss down the stretch and he had a huge block.
- I have zero stats to back this up, but it genuinely feels like Aaron Henry misses more shots at the rim than anyone else. I nearly laughed when the announcer told us Tom Izzo said he feels Henry is playing his best ball. He’s shooting just 47.6% from 2 and an abysmal 13.6% from three. Your supposed “best player” needs to be better than that, plain and simple. Oh, and stop turning the ball over!
- One big positive from today was Thomas Kithier’s play. People laughed at Izzo’s comments about “all the little things” but he’s not wrong. TK was awesome today and kept a bunch of possessions alive. Him scoring 8 points is just icing on the cake with him.
- All those jokes we make about Fran McCaffery’s defenses? Yeah, the Hawkeyes now top MSU in defensive efficiency. I repeat: Iowa’s Defense > MSU’s Defense. That’s unacceptable. Every time it looks like Iowa may be a factor, you always say “yeah but the defense”. That defense is now statistically better than MSU’s. It’s clear there are some TI doesn’t trust defensively (Gabe, Marble) but really not one guy is playing good enough defense. Marcus Carr awaits in the barn. Yeesh.
ZACH
- Playing college basketball on Christmas needs to become more of an every year thing. With the Pistons always being disrespected and never able to play on the holiday, I enjoyed watching some basketball that I have a rooting interest in. On top of this, the Red/Green color rush game was very festive for the occasion.
- Did turnovers hurt the Spartans today? Well yes, turnovers always hurt, but it’s not just the turnovers, but what followed the turnovers on the other end of the floor. Wisconsin seemed to capitalize off of every lost possession with a bucket of their own. I thought that this was the biggest reason the Badgers were able to come out with the win.
- Aaron Henry has the ability to get to the basket at will, and this is one of the best assets that he has, but he needs to become a more consistent finisher. Henry isn’t the only one that missed bunnies today, but there were at least 20 points left off the board in today’s game.
- I know Joey had 27, Aaron had 12 and Josh and TK had 8, and I am all for balanced scoring and having anybody able to step up, but this team needs a guy to step up and be able to get a bucket at any time. Aaron and Rocket have shown they have the ability to be that guy, but we haven’t seen it the past few games.
- Rocket Watts showed a little bit of his PG ability today getting a career high in assists. He had a beautiful bounce pass to Hauser splitting defenders for an easy layup. However, I still think he needs to work on shot selection. Almost every time he gets pulled out, not only is it usually because of a poor shot, but he then shows terrible body language and attitude. I think he is gone after this season.
- I love all of the MSU Twitter Basketball Coaches that bash on Kithier and only refer to him as “15” because they don’t want to look bad, but I’ve had it with the slander. I have said it for the entire season, for TK plays his role almost better than anyone else on this team. He really isn’t out there to score but does when he gets his opportunities. Thomas had 8 points and 5 rebounds today and I thought he played really well.
- Izzo shortened the bench today, which I do think is necessary going forward. He rolled with his starters down the stretch, and while I do feel like this was the right choice, I think he needed to put someone like Gabe in to try and get a quick three and find some offense. Obviously Izzo knows what he is doing, and all three of us at the TSR trust him, this is just a coaching choice that was an option. Looking back after a loss, I would’ve given it a shot.
- Wisconsin is a really solid and experienced team, and while that is no excuse for this loss, they are really good. We are only two games into league play and a lot of basketball to go. If anyone thinks that the champ of this league isn’t going to have a few losses, I’m sorry, you’re wrong.
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