Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from tight loss to KK FMP

Michigan State basketball got punched in the mouth early and then rebounded to nearly make a comeback against KK FMP.

For the first time during this Spain trip, Michigan State basketball fell short against an opponent, losing 115-110 against KK FMP on Tuesday.

No, this isn’t something to get down about because KK FMP is one of the top professional Serbian teams and it has some legit dudes on the roster, including a player who was drafted by the Warriors about a decade ago and the point guard from the Fairleigh Dickinson team that beat Purdue in 2023.

It was clear right away that KK FMP was no joke as it raced out to an 8-0 lead almost immediately and it took a Xavier Booker three to stop the bleeding.

Michigan State trailed the entire way and got within two at one point only to see KK FMP go on a run.

In the end, Michigan State probably could have completed the comeback if it had crashed the boards a little harder and didn’t miss so many bunnies and free throws. There are some correctable mistakes from this game but it was a good showing from a team with tired legs.

Here are my top three takeaways:

1. Frankie Fidler looks like that go-to scorer

While Jaden Akins had a much-needed bounce-back game after a slow start to the Spain trip, scoring 16 points, it was Frankie Fidler who caught my eye. He had a team-leading 18 points and was comfortable shooting in the mid-range and getting to the rim. He looks like the go-to scorer that Michigan State needs after losing Tyson Walker to the NBA.

I would like for him to be more comfortable catching and shooting from long range as he seemed a bit hesitant to hoist the deep shots up. Michigan State needs more deep shooters and he has to give the Spartans that.

2. Jaxon Kohler is the best center on the team

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Jaxon Kohler is the best center that Michigan State has.

Sure, you could argue that a small-ball lineup with Xavier Booker at the five would give Michigan State its most dynamic five, but Kohler looks like he has turned a corner as a player and scored in double figures for the third straight game with 13. He hit a three, made some nice turnaround jumpers, and scored near the rim. His defense is even getting better as he looks quicker on that end of the floor.

While Szymon Zapala showed flashes on Tuesday and Carson Cooper is a veteran, Kohler is the guy at the five.

3. MSU didn’t quit against a team of pros

Playing a third game in less than a week, it would have been easy for Michigan State basketball to mail it in and play a lackadaisical game. But Tom Izzo will never allow that. The Spartans looked tired from the get-go, but they never quit.

Even when KK FMP hit a big three to go up 109-97 with a couple of minutes left, the Spartans didn’t quit. They converted on a four-point trip and then played some tight defense to even cut the lead to four. Ultimately, Michigan State lost by five but this team showed a lot of grit.

There are no moral victories in basketball, but playing a legitimate pro Serbian team tight like this on one day of rest after a 50-point win is impressive.