A lot has gone wrong for Michigan State basketball<\/a> as the regular season has come to an end. This is true on a team level and on an individual level as well. Many players aren\u2019t reaching the expectations we all — and Tom Izzo — had for them this season, and that includes Jaden Akins.<\/p>\n Many expected Akins to take a big step forward this year after a solid sophomore season. Akins was an elite 3-point shooter especially at the end of last year and he was one of the reasons Michigan State made their run to the Sweet 16.<\/p>\n Jaden isn\u2019t the primary scorer for this team, and he doesn\u2019t have to be. But what he needs to be is a solid secondary scoring option who can light it up from beyond the arc. That is what MSU\u2019s been missing from him especially late.<\/p>\n However, it doesn\u2019t sound like Jaden\u2019s struggles are from a lack of effort.\u00a0Izzo commented on Akins during his press conference on Tuesday, and it sounds like he is hopeful for a turnaround from his star junior.<\/p>\n Izzo is known for being a coach who isn\u2019t afraid to get in his players’ faces. That is a good strategy to motivate your team in some scenarios, but not in Akins’ scenario. When shooters are struggling to hit shots, no amount of yelling or screaming will help. Tom Izzo knows this and instead is offering words of encouragement to the junior.<\/p>\n Izzo feels MSU has been getting good looks despite shooting 38.8% and 33.7% from 3 in going 1-4 in its last five games. Says he has talked to Jaden Akins about "being comfortable with yourself" because he spends so much time in the gym and puts in so much work into his shot.<\/p>\n — Chris Solari (@chrissolari) March 12, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nTom Izzo offers encouragement to Akins<\/h3>\n
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