Michigan State basketball: Tom Izzo needs to pass the torch to Xavier Booker

Xavier Booker got his first start with Michigan State basketball on Sunday and it’s clear that Tom Izzo needs to pass him the torch.

Where was Xavier Booker at the end of the game? Booker just played his best game of the season in the 60-57 Michigan State basketball loss to Ohio State, finishing with seven points, three rebounds, and three blocks. He also had a +11 plus/minus while in the game.

He was not lights out in this game, but he was by far the best option down low for MSU. So why didn’t Tom Izzo put him back in the game?

It’s time for Tom Izzo to pass the torch to Booker

I thought Izzo was finally ready to hand the keys to Xavier Booker in the post. Tom made the shocking move to start Xavier for the first time this year, and it looked like the right call. Michigan State had a 10-point halftime lead and kept that lead throughout the beginning of the second half. But then Izzo subbed Booker out and never put him back in.

That’s when the Ohio State run began. Don’t get me wrong, this loss isn’t solely on Mady Sissoko’s struggles in the post. MSU’s veteran guards still should have been able to win this game. But there’s no doubt in my mind that MSU would win this game if Booker was in at the end of the game.

Sissoko brings absolutely nothing on the offensive end. The selling point to play Mady over Xavier has always been his defense and rebounding. I however am not convinced that Mady is better than Xavier at that anymore. Even if Sissoko is, Booker still should’ve been in the game late. MSU couldn’t get anything going on offense, so why not put in another player who can actually score? Or the player with the highest plus/minus on the team?

This is just another example of Tom Izzo making a head-scratching decision. And now we all have to live with the consequences as Michigan State might not make the NCAA Tournament.

The Spartans’ next game is at Purdue next weekend. They need to win this game if Michigan State wants to comfortably make the NCAA tournament. If they fail to, then this season is in big trouble.