On Friday, Michigan State basketball entered the Big Ten tournament as the no. 3 seed, with the Spartan faithful expecting MSU to make some noise during their start to the postseason. However, they quickly and quietly exited after a stunning loss to UCLA, a team they had dominated at the Breslin Center less than two months prior.
It was a harsh reminder of where this team was projected at the start of the season, with the Spartans falling short of the new expectations after raising the ceiling on what the media and fans had projected.
For as much overachieving that this team has done, the last loss had revealed a few “fatal flaws” that make Michigan State basketball a dangerous team to predict or believe in when the NCAA Tournament bracket gets revealed on Sunday.
There is plenty of cause to believe in Michigan State basketball next week, but there are quite a few concerns, too.
If you are on the optimistic side, linked is three reasons to believe in Michigan State basketball, too.
1. The Freshman Need Some Time
To start, both Cam Ward and Jordan Scott have been impressing most nights during their first campaign in East Lansing. Scott has been providing and sparking the energy for this team on a nightly basis, with effort plays, hustle plays, lockdown defense, and the knack to make the right play.
Similarly, Ward has flashed his potential, especially in an early season game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, who compete for an SEC Tournament Title on Sunday. However, he has struggled to return to form after an injury, but has started to regain his confidence and shooting form from the early season.
In recent games, though, both have struggled. Scott has found himself on the bench a few times from early foul trouble, and his game against UCLA saw the freshman having a few uncharacteristic moments on defense, helping too much and leaving a kick out three wide open. Additionally, in the final minute of competition, Scott had an intentional foul when Tom Izzo wanted to let the play ride, which was referenced as a freshman mistake post-game by the coach.
Ward has been in a similar situation, with his defense taking a step back against UCLA, and then picking up four fouls in under nine minutes on the court against the Michigan Wolverines to end the regular season.
Both freshman can be the sparkplug that powers Michigan State into another round of the tournament, but a lack of consistency creates an unknown.
2. The (Lack of) Depth Is Being Exposed
Last season, when Michigan State basketball marched through March into the Elite Eight, the mantra was “strength in numbers.” It appeared the Spartans were set for a similar mantra for 2025-2026, but injuries have bit this squad after avoiding them last year.
Kaleb Glenn, who was a projected starter or sixth man, was lost before the season even got going which a knee injury. Although he has returned to practice recently, he is being held out due to the NCAA rules to redshirt a player, and activating him for even a single game would cost his redshirt.
Divine Ugochukwu had provided some spark for the guards, with his defense as the main calling card. However, he was lost for the season after a broken foot against Minnesota made the Miami transfer need surgery.
This means both of the Spartans’ impact transfers are out for the year when a crucial four-minute stint or takeover from a player can make the difference between dancing on or watching from the couch.
The Spartans have had to turn to Denham Wojcik to take the occasional minute stint to give Jeremy Fears Jr. rest. Wojcik is the only player comfortable in the point guard spot besides Fears left on the roster, and Tom Izzo has praised Wojcik’s confidence and ability to lead. However, the senior guard has found himself facing criticism for the fan base, based on play or a lack of confidence when shooting.
Additionally, transfer Trey Fort III has not provided the spark expected from Samford. While Fort is a sharpshooter, his defense is not at the level expected from a Tom Izzo player, leading to the senior to rarely see the court. His minutes in the Big Ten Tournament was the longest he had played in a game since a February 4 loss to Minnesota.
However, this is not all bad news, as it has forced the progression of Jordan Scott, who has bloomed as a freshman already. There is still the freshman moment from Scott, but he is quickly becoming a veteran on this team. Scott is the shining example of the new wave of strength and numbers, with his shooting improving every game, and his overall hustle earning him a starting spot since the previously mentioned February 4 contest at Minnesota.
3. Which Michigan State Basketball Team Will Show Up?
The big concern for Michigan State basketball entering the “win and go home” phase of the season is the Spartans’ lack of consistency. While opponents change, the Spartans are changing just as much. Great practices and great games prior do not seem to carry over for MSU, at points. Tom Izzo praised the team’s practice levels before a squeaker of a win against Ohio State, along with their practicing before the Big Ten Tournament loss to UCLA.
In that loss before UCLA, the Spartans played one of their best games of the season in a loss to Michigan. Despite the loss on the stat sheet, the Spartans showed the ability to play with one of the top teams in the country, which they also did in December against Duke. Both Michigan and Duke are projected one seeds, and the Spartans pushed each to the limit in the three times they have seen the respective teams this year.
However, the losses to Minnesota, UCLA, and even some performances in the second half of games (namely Toledo and San Jose State), make it hard to consistently bet on this team.
Injuries have taken their toll, freshman have stepped up, and Jeremy Fears Jr. has provided a huge spark on this team. Seniors Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper have also taken the tradition senior leap under Tom Izzo, with Cooper turning into one of the most respected big men in the conference with his defense, and Kohler becoming a deep threat from three and a Izzo-described “man-child” on the boards for rebounds.
This Michigan State basketball team is fascinating, but it is hard to pin a floor or ceiling too. Last season, it was comfortable to sharpie the Spartans into the Sweet 16. This year, their ceiling could be another Final Four run, just like what Tom Izzo has led his team to eight times previously. However, it could also be a team that bows out in the opening weekend.
As Tom Izzo said during multiple press conferences this year, this team has a small margin of error. On any given night, they can compete to upset the top teams in the country. However, if they are cold, it might be a long night on the couch next weekend.
FOOTBALL3 days ago
FOOTBALL3 days ago