Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from heartbreaking Ohio State loss

For the second time in less than a week, Michigan State basketball played down to an opponent and came up with a loss.

Michigan State basketball was back in action on Sunday. Against Iowa, the team appeared deflated and out of energy. The Spartans looked to rebound against Ohio State. The Buckeyes entered the game down Jamison Battle and with an interim head coach, in addition to being on a 17-game losing streak on the road. On paper, this was a game the Spartans should dominate and win easily. Granted, the same was said on Tuesday. Sunday was a test to see if Tom Izzo learned from Tuesday night.

At first, it appeared he learned. However, the Spartans lost a 12-point lead in the final 15 minutes and lost on a shot with 0.2 seconds remaining. The Spartans now have to wonder if their tournament hopes are intact or if they are on the outside looking in.

The pre-game excitement was at an all-time high with around 20 minutes to tip. It was confirmed that Xavier Booker would be receiving his first career start by Tom Izzo. However, that leaves us with questions following his 17 minutes on the court.

What did we learn from today?

Hint: I learned that I need a new NCAA basketball video game to come out to play my own favorites on starters and personnel decisions in late-game situations.

1. Xavier Booker gave us a lot to like

Unlike his previous games, Xavier Booker saw extended action today. He was in for a lot of the first half and finished second on the team in both points (5) and +/- (plus-11) at half. Booker added a shot from beyond the arc at the end of his first stint, and his second block of the contest sent him to the bench after 6:24 of solid play.

He continued this in his second stint, improving after a few defensive lapses and adding a layup. Booker also added two boards in this stint. Between his first-half stints, he tied his career-high in minutes for conference play, with the freshman playing 12 minutes.

Out of half, he had a quick two (and a missed and-one) and nearly added his second three. It was a lot of promise but missed chances for Booker, but his seven points in his 17 minutes are what an average MSU center pairing produces in 34 minutes most nights. His seven points led the other centers, as the three others to play the five tonight (excluding Malik Hall, who rotated between there per possession) combined for six points. Mady Sissoko had four, Kohler had two, and Cooper’s only stats were two fouls and a turnover.

However, despite this production and his sustained plus-11 when he checked out at the under-16, Booker was never seen on the court again.

2. Michigan State basketball rebounded from a slow offensive start, for some time

Michigan State did not come out of the gates swinging on offense. They scored a quick eight, but then only put up five points in the next six minutes. However, the defense was shut down. As much as MSU struggled, OSU was held out of the column just as much. Despite three players nailing a three in the first stint of action, MSU could not remain consistent when Coen Carr, Mady Sissoko, Tre Holloman, and Carson Cooper all subbed in.

There was a clear divide in offense and defense, as that quartet did make it impossible for OSU to score. Eventually, both teams did start scoring. However, Michigan State was able to push the lead to 10 points and started trading baskets with the Buckeyes. While MSU could not push the lead, they kept OSU from getting too close. The Buckeyes brought it within six, but MSU had a 4-0 run to put them back down by double digits. This was not meant to last, however.

The Spartans played a game of trading baskets to sustain them during the middle 20 minutes of this game. It was sustainable after a defensive showcase in the first ten minutes. However, for the last 10, the basket trading finally caught up with the Spartans. The final 10 minutes were just like the first 10, but the Spartans did not have an 8-2 run to sustain them or give them just enough to win.

Ironically, Booker sat for the last 15 minutes of the contest. Take from that what you will.

3. This team ran out of gas at the end

At the under-12 in the second half, Ohio State started feeling feisty. They went on an 8-4 run in three minutes, mostly coming at the expense of Jaxon Kohler. They cut the lead even further, making it a one-point game and forcing a Tom Izzo timeout with 5:51 left. This came when the Buckeyes had a 13-2 run, hampering the Spartans. Malik Hall had two out of the timeout, but those were the only two points from 5:51 until the media timeout at 3:43. Jake Diebler, the acting head coach at Ohio State, credited his team’s ability to fight. He said the true character of the team has come out in their last three contests.

The Buckeyes continued to stick around in this game, as the Spartans went ice cold at the end. Tyson Walker could not hit a bucket, with multiple wide-open missed shots from three. Ohio State did just enough to survive and beat the Spartans. By courtesy of a Dale Bonner three with 0.2 seconds remaining, the Buckeyes won.

The Buckeyes only led for six seconds, but did enough to win. When asked about the game-winner, Bonner said that he “was trying to get a shot up, honestly. I’ve practiced this a couple times.” His teammate, Devin Royal, interrupted to say “he hits these all the time in practice.”

Tom Izzo was very adamant that both teams did not do enough to win. He said there would be a lot of film watching for him on Sunday night, and that the team needs the six days off. Multiple times in his nearly 25 minutes at the podium, he said he needed to watch the film. He would be taking full accountability but needs to see what to change before the Spartans’ next game.

Frankly, this game has me out of gas. Michigan State basketball and I have another six days to rest. The Spartans play Purdue next week on Saturday, at Mackey. No breaks for this team in terms of competition.