Key offensive adjustment Michigan State basketball needs this season

There’s a narrative surrounding Tom Izzo that he can be stubborn when it comes to making necessary adjustments for Michigan State basketball. While that sentiment has been echoed over the years, the reality is that Izzo has demonstrated a willingness to change when faced with glaring issues.

A prime example is how Michigan State revamped its baseline out of bounds (BLOB) defense between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. After the Spartans ranked in the 30th percentile in defensive efficiency in BLOB situations due to their loose matchup zone, Izzo made a concerted effort to fix the scheme. The result? Michigan State’s defense soared to the 85th percentile in the following season.

Film Session: Michigan St BLOB D

Didn’t realize Michigan St completely revamped their baseline out of bounds defense.. went from 30th percentile to 85th percentile in one year https://t.co/BccTWtS77C pic.twitter.com/CCaP9iyUFK

— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) March 19, 2024

As the Spartans look ahead to the 2024-25 season, they face another pivotal area that needs improvement: the stagnant offense in the second half of the shot clock. In the 2023-24 season, Michigan State basketball had a staggering 244 possessions that ended with fewer than four seconds on the shot clock, one of the highest rates in the country. This inefficiency often placed tremendous pressure on Tyson Walker, who individually ranked sixth nationally in offensive possessions ending in the final four seconds of the clock.

Instagram: twalkk

The departure of Walker means that Michigan State will need to address this issue moving forward. Without Walker, who consistently bailed out the Spartans in late clock situations, someone else must step up, or the offense needs to evolve to prevent such situations from recurring.

The good news? There are clear steps Michigan State can take to fix this issue before the 2024-25 season begins.

Quick hitters and improved point guard play

One potential solution is for Michigan State to implement a package of quick hitting plays when there are 10-12 seconds left on the shot clock. This approach would help organize the offense and prevent the team from falling into the same late clock scramble that put Tyson Walker in so many difficult positions. By running quick developing plays 10-12 seconds in the shot clock, the offensive responsibilities would be spread out more evenly across the roster. Disorganized possessions would be reduced for players like Jaden Akins and Frankie Fidler who wouldn’t be under duress in the final seconds of the clock.

An equally critical element to this adjustment is improved point guard play. One of the major differences between the 2023-24 and 2019-20 Michigan State teams was the number of late clock possessions. Under Cassius Winston in 2019-20, the Spartans had only 147 possessions that ended with fewer than four seconds on the shot clock, a difference of nearly 100 possessions compared to last season. Winston’s ability to manage the offense and direct traffic ensured that Michigan State’s late clock possessions were more organized and less predictable. Having a point guard who can manage the clock and dictate the flow of the offense will be vital for the Spartans in 2024-25.

I know Jeremy Fears is young, but this will be his responsibility. He needs to lead and be the captain of the ship.

Tom Izzo has a track record of improving Michigan State basketball

Izzo’s willingness to overhaul the BLOB defense is proof that he can and will make necessary adjustments when faced with a significant problem. The BLOB defense in 2022-23 was a glaring weakness, but Izzo recognized it and revamped the scheme. The turnaround was drastic, and the improvement played a key role in Michigan State’s BLOB defense success in the 2023-24 season.

Similarly, the issue of late clock offense is one that Izzo can fix. The difference between a team that scrambles in the final seconds of the shot clock and one that executes cleanly lies in organization and preparation. By installing quick hitters and emphasizing point guard leadership, Izzo can take steps to ensure that Michigan State’s offense doesn’t fall into the same late clock traps it did last season.