Michigan State Basketball: The good, great, bad, and ugly from disappointing Iowa loss

Just days after all but securing an NCAA bid, Michigan State basketball loses against Iowa at home. Here’s the good, great, bad, and ugly.

It’s time that Michigan State basketball takes a long look in the mirror. Not only is MSU’s tournament bid now in jeopardy once again, but the way in which Michigan State lost against Iowa continued a concerning trend.

The rotation, specifically down low, was a disaster. The first-half points in the paint, was nonexistent. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Even after going down by 16 to start the second half, Michigan State battled back and made it a good game with just five minutes remaining. Unfortunately for Spartan fans, they couldn’t quite get over the five point deficit and Michigan State dropped a game in which it should have won — and needed to win — with a final score of 78-71.

Here were the good, great, bad, and ugly from the missed opportunity against Iowa. 

Good: Jaxon Kohler

The best of the MSU centers is not exactly a compliment. Mady Sissoko only saw five minutes, Xavier Booker only had six (even after Izzo had said for the second time that he was going to play him more), and Carson Cooper had the second most with 12. Kohler led the way with 19 minutes, and he wasn’t great, but he brought what MSU needed at the time. During the second half when MSU was fighting back, more on that in a minute, Kohler was leading the charge defensively. He finished with three blocks and forced a few turnovers. The stat sheet doesn’t look great for Kohler, only one rebound is horrendous, but the eye test told you his energy and what he brought to the court for Michigan State was what it needed. 

Great: Second-half fight

I went back and forth on whether this was worthy for great. Michigan State basketball still lost, so clearly its fight in the second half wasn’t enough. But rather than leaving another great empty, I thought the Spartans showed enough heart that it was deserving. After coming out flat for the first few minutes of the game, MSU fought back and went bucket for bucket against the Hawkeyes. After being tied at 27 with just under six minutes remaining, Iowa suddenly opened the throttle and finished the first half up by 12, and even 16 just minutes into the second half. 

Michigan State then dug deep, and began to rip off some runs of its own. Eventually bringing the game to within five, Michigan State didn’t just accept the loss. When Iowa attempted to throw off MSU with a zone or full-court press, the Spartans actually took advantage and scored with ease. It proved to be extremely difficult to get past being down seven, and impossible to come within five, but MSU could have lost by much more. They showed some fight in the second half.  

Bad: Free throws

Michigan State basketball has struggled from the line this entire season. Nationally, they rank 232rd in the nation in free throw percentage. This isn’t a new trait for the Spartans but on Tuesday night, something more concerning stood out. What really jumps out with Michigan State’s free throw woes is that Michigan State missed seven free throws, and would end up losing by exactly seven. Now, it’s not fair to expect them to make every free throw. But if the Spartans would have at least hit 12-of-14 (85%), their deficit would have been obviously less, but more makes means less defensive rebounds and quick transition offense. Iowa plays at such a high pace, and the best way to eliminate that is to make your baskets. Michigan State had a great opportunity at the line to do so, and they couldn’t get it done. 

Ugly: Tom Izzo

It’s time that Tom Izzo starts to feel his seat getting hot. Now before all the old-school readers get upset, I realize that Izzo will never be fired. He will never even be asked to leave. But this loss puts Michigan State basketball back in the Last Four In, First Four Out conversation once again. It’s now been four years of being in this mediocre middle ground.

What’s even more concerning is the stubbornness that is being displayed year after year. Izzo’s diehard loyalty to older players that never developed into Big Ten caliber players is destroying this program. Game after game, Izzo comes out and has the same post-game remarks.

“They’re not tough enough, and that’s on me.”
“I’ve got to find Xavier Booker and Coen Carr more minutes.”

His coach speak just continues to kick the MSU struggles can down the road. And that’s not even bringing up his refusal to utilize the transfer portal.