Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from rout of Michigan

The first edition of Michigan State basketball facing in-state rival Michigan is over, in favor of MSU. What are the takeaways from this?

Michigan State basketball faced in-state rival Michigan on Tuesday night and came away with an 81-62 win. The Spartans entered the game needing a crucial win to keep their tournament hopes alive. Additionally, they had the added pressure of this being coach Tom Izzo’s 69th birthday.

Speaking of Izzo, a victory would make this win No. 700 in the coach’s historic career. Naturally, the TV powers above had this game as a 9 p.m. tipoff and located on streaming service Peacock. Izzo did indeed win game No. 700, but it certainly did not come easy. His first birthday present was a heart-pounding first half. Michigan State gave him a better second gift, with a 21-point advantage in the final half.

If you missed the game, here is a super quick recap: the first half of the game was always just out of reach for the Spartans, and then they took over in the second half. Jaden Akins and Malik Hall were the heroes, and the Spartans rolled through Michigan.

1. Another slow start

In my last few takeaways, the Spartans have always had a quick start that helps propel them through a lull later in the game. That was not the case on Tuesday. Michigan State started in a slump. Tyson Walker had the yips, Carson Cooper missed a two-foot shot, and the Spartans were just slow.

Michigan cruised to an early lead, but the Spartans kept turning an eight-point lead to three, and then letting it slip back to eight points down. That was, in part, due to the Wolverines shooting an unbelievable 68 percent by the time the under-four struck. They cooled down heading into the half, thankfully.

Akins was the only Spartan really locked in. Tre Holloman was stuck on the bench with two fouls. The Spartans did make it close around halftime, finally drawing within two and having the last play. However, a panic AJ Hoggard three was blocked to have the Spartans trailing 35-33. Things turned around after half, but this slow start made us all a bit anxious.

2. It was Jaden Akins’ night

This game started fast for Akins. He scored the first five for Michigan State basketball, and helped keep the Spartans stay afloat when the Wolverines were shooting 75 percent. At the half, he led the Spartan scorers with 11, and in plus-minus at plus-five. He ended the game at a superb plus-20.

In the second half, Akins provided a clutch three to give the Spartans their largest lead of five at the time. He made the crowd erupt, and forced a Juwan Howard timeout. He then drilled another three to give the Spartans a 10-point lead. With 15 minutes left in the game, he had drilled five threes and had 17 points. He also gave the Spartans a second chance attempt right after with an offensive board. He hit 20 with more than six minutes left, hitting his sixth three. Akins was the superstar tonight.

His three with 3:29 remaining sealed the game, giving Michigan State basketball an 18-point lead. He sent the maize and blue to the exits. Akins ultimately finished with 23, and Tom Izzo, Juwan Howard, Malik Hall, and AJ Hoggard all credited him in their post-game statements. Frankly, “Akins is going to Akins” was my main takeaway from Howard. He stated the team left him open too many times, and let him get hot.

Hoggard had a different and frankly, funny take, stating that an early tip in drill started Akins’s night. Hoggard passed the ball to Akins in their second-to-last run through, and Akins missed the shot. The next time through, Hoggard elected to pass to Walker. Akins took offense, and Hoggard jokingly told Akins to “hit five threes” as a challenge. He passed that challenge with flying colors.

3. Michigan State basketball actually made adjustments

Tuesday’s game was a tale of two halves. The Spartans were punched in the mouth to start the game. An early 15-8 deficit had the Breslin Center crowd nervous. The back and forth 3-to-8 point leads had us all nervous at best, in an uproar at worst. However, Izzo coached the team back. They came out on fire, with the Spartans going into orbit. The Wolverines’ shooting prowess abandoned them. A 60 percent clip turned into 45 percent. By the time the Wolverines could get Dug McDaniel’s replacement, Jaelin Llewellyn (12 first-half points), going again, it was much too late.

For the first time this season, the Spartans won after trailing at half. It could not have come at a better time, considering the crushing disappointment the Spartans suffered against Wisconsin in their last outing. They outscored the Wolverines by 21 after the break.

Howard and Izzo each stated that the game today was “a tale of two halves.” Howard stated that his Wolverines did a great job defending in the first half, and that in the second half, the transition defense was the first to fall apart, followed by the rest.

Meanwhile, Izzo and the Spartans stated that their own lapses hurt them, with AJ Hoggard stating that “we cannot let a team shoot nearly 70 ( percent from the field) and 60 (percent from 3-point range).” He also mentioned a legendary Davis Smith halftime speech, were he told them (in PG terms) to “tighten up.” Hoggard also stated Izzo did not lay into the team as much after that Smith speech. Personally, I am in support of Smith addressing the locker room at half every game if it leads to a second half like tonight.

Michigan State has a few days off before their weekend contest against the Maryland Terrapins. The Spartans are looking for the season sweep of the Terps, as they won a 61-59 nailbiter earlier this month. They tip off at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.