Michigan State basketball its 2022-23 season with a win against Northern Arizona, 73-55.
Opening against a Big Sky opponent in NAU, Michigan State basketball was able to show just how and what they have approved on during the offseason. In just a week’s time, the Spartans will be facing multiple top 20 teams, meaning getting any rust off in tonight’s game was vital.
In a game in which MSU started hot, and never trailed, there were quite a few items to note. Here’s the great, good, bad, and ugly from Michigan State’s season opener.
Great: Pierre Brooks
Pierre Brooks came off the bench tonight, and immediately made apparent how much he has improved. Brooks, who was recently named the MVP of the 2022 Moneyball Pro-Am after averaging an absurd 40.3 points per game, is an X-factor this season. An X-factor that could very likely end up playing a major role, allegedly improving his game in all facets.
While we didn’t see much in the way of passing or defense, his shooting was off the charts. Shooting an incredibly efficient 5-for-9 from the field and 57 percent from three, he led all Spartans not named Joey Hauser in scoring with 14. Performances like this are going to force Izzo to take Pierre seriously and up his minutes tremendously.
Good: Jaxon Kohler’s debut and Jaden Akins’ health
Jaxon Kohler is expected to come in and provide a nice relief for starting center, Mady Sissoko. He came to campus as an underrated recruit and did exactly what was asked of him tonight. Kohler finished with six points to go along with nine rebound in reserve. His soft touch and ability to read the defense in order to move to where he can get open was on full display.
Additionally, he showed he can move away from the basket, stretching the defense. A luxury the Spartans have not had in quite some time.
Jaden Akins had surgery to correct a stress reaction in his foot back in September. Izzo mentioned that he was making great progress but by the looks of it, it looks like he is almost all the way healthy. Jaden looked about as quick as can be, almost sending a defender to the floor in the first half.
While he did not light up the stat sheet coming off the bench, and only played 16 minutes, this was likely more of a precaution. Izzo is likely easing Akins back into playing condition, but it is apparent he will be a major key in the success of this team.
Bad: Touches in the post
Sissoko was supposed to have taken a major step this year and act as our starting center. While he didn’t completely panic when given the ball, he didn’t provide the post presence that he should. He had a beautiful turn around jumper from five feet out but, lacked any true big man moves.
Turn around prayers might work against Northern Arizona, but against Gonzaga later this week, he will need traditional, classic big man moves against the elite Drew Timme.
Ugly: Long scoring droughts
A tale as old as time for the Spartans. There were multiple four-plus minute scoring droughts for the Spartans. Scoring droughts that consisted of just passing the ball around the arc with not much movement, no open shots, and no way to get the ball down low. This slightly opened the door for the Lumberjacks but wasn’t enough to let them fully back in the game.
Michigan State basketball can’t afford to go 3-5 minutes without scoring against an actual tourney team. If MSU is able to build a lead, scoring droughts against a superior opponent will likely wipe away any progress made.
