Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from disappointing Iowa loss

Michigan State basketball was back at home after a week away. It played Iowa Tuesday night, and what did we learn?

Michigan State basketball returned to work on a short rest Tuesday night. The Spartans and Hawkeyes entered the game with a lot of stats nearly identical, from field goal percentage to assist-to-turnover ratio. MSU entered as a 9.5-point favorite, but, following a 21-6 Iowa run to end the first half, the Spartans appeared to be the underdogs for the game. The stat sheet was downright confusing, as the Spartans won the offensive board battle, hit 10 triples, but then missed seven free throws and were outshot at the stripe 14-for-23.

Ultimately, all Michigan State comeback attempts were thwarted, and the Spartans lost 78-71.

What’d we learn?

1. This game started slow, but Iowa went fast-paced quick

Michigan State basketball started the game with the same shooting lull from the end of their last game. After not making a field goal in the final 3:30 against the Michigan Wolverines, the Spartans were held from a field goal for the first 3:28. However, the floodgates soon opened. Tyson Walker, Tre Holloman, and Malik Hall all had hit at least one from the arc by the under-12. In fact, Coen Carr drawing an and-one for the Spartans was their first points in the paint after 7:52 of game time. Naturally, Jaden Akins hit a three to give the Spartans four players to hit one in the first half of the game.

Iowa was just as fast paced, with every shot hitting, and every time they were on the line was an assured point. They shot 57 percent from the field and went 9-for-10 from the line in the first half. They controlled the paint with Mady Sissoko and Carson Cooper sitting on the bench with two fouls. Xavier Booker was in and had some solid minutes, but was not seen again after the halftime break.

The second half was a slower affair, but Iowa racing out to 45 points at half was unexpected, and ultimately overwhelming.

2. Iowa took control in the middle of the first half

After the early scoring flurry, including the battle of three supremacy, Iowa took control. On the strength of a 12-1 run, Iowa pulled out to a nine-point advantage. Tom Izzo did not elect for a timeout, and the under-four stopped the bleeding for him. However, it was not the end of the onslaught.

With Carson Cooper and Mady Sissoko each at two fouls, the Spartans turned to Xavier Booker and Jaxson Kohler to end the half. Kohler struggled, but Xavier Booker provided great value on both ends of the court. He drew eyes and was always in motion on offense, and on defense had a tough battle over Patrick McCaffery that gave the Spartans the ball with 51 seconds left. While they did not capitalize, Booker showed his promise this first half.

The lack of center experience led to the Hawkeyes ending the half on a 21-6 run. The Spartans were down by a dozen at the break, and had a tough battle to get back in ahead of them.

Out of half, Iowa had four quick points to push the lead to 16. The game finally returned to a close one around the thirteen-minute mark, with the Spartans on a quick run to bring it to a 10-point game with 11:57 left. Unfortunately, the Spartans were not able to ever turn this game into a one-possession game. Iowa traded baskets with the Spartans the rest of the way and ultimately won by seven.

3. Michigan State basketball just looked tired

Tuesday was the first loss for Michigan State basketball at home in 2024, and the team looked exhausted. Tom Izzo struggled to describe some of his thoughts, stopping and starting. He defended against questions implying he would flush this game from the memory for exhaustion, but also did state the team vibes were “off” as said by Davis Smith.

With a short turnaround from Saturday night’s contest into the Tuesday night Iowa affair, the team made simple mistakes.

Izzo noted this, stating that he was worried about the matchup “after the first five minutes of the game. Making a mistake on guard switches, that’s 2+2. That’s just not something we do.”

Time and time again, Izzo talked on the lack of energy from the team. He also stated he would be giving the team a rest day on Wednesday to recover. The team has been on a winning streak and has been unbeatable in the Breslin, until Tuesday’s flop. The team was lost on Iowa’s switches, and AJ Hoggard credited the Hawkeye’s and Fran McCaffery’s movement with the guards as causing that confusion.

Speaking of Hoggard, he looked defeated after today’s game. He started leaning against his locker at the start, and took questions after gathering his thoughts. When asked on this, his reply was simple: “I hate losing.” Hoggard was upset at himself for missed layups and opportunities. He had a quiet first half, missing a 3-point shot and being held out of the scoring column. The second half had Hoggard creating plays and energy, but it was much too late. Hoggard said he would be in the gym Wednesday working on layups, noting he has had issues with layups in the last two games, dating back to Saturday night.

Malik Hall was very subdued in the locker room, his voice barely above a whisper. He also said the Spartans made their own trouble and struggled. Hall did not regress to “the old Hall” as he had a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards, but he could not will the Spartans to win.

Tyson Walker hit three from beyond the arc in the first half, but even the guard had a quiet day. He had 16 points today, tied with Hall for the team best.

After their rest day on Wednesday, Izzo will be getting on the Spartans and hoping the energy levels improve in time for their Sunday matchup. They will play host to Ohio State at 4 p.m. ET. While the Buckeyes recently fired Chris Holtmann, they are no easy win for Izzo’s squad. OSU just upset Purdue a few days ago.