With March around the corner, Michigan State men’s basketball (20-5, 10-4 Big Ten) finds itself limping through a minefield of dangerous Big Ten teams. The Spartans have lost three of their last four games, the worst of which came Friday in a 92-71 drubbing at the hands of No. 24 Wisconsin. With six regular-season games left — the first coming Tuesday, Feb. 17, against UCLA — MSU must rediscover its strength and finish the season with renewed grit and momentum, just as it has in the past.
To accomplish this, MSU head coach Tom Izzo believes the remainder of the season must come down to better defense and elevating support from everyone involved with the program.
A woeful defense
At the midway point of the season, MSU’s defense was the best in the nation. It defended the three-point shot well, limited guard penetration and won battles in the post with physicality — all of which were bolstered by outstanding rebounding numbers. It was a defense to be feared and the foundation on which MSU built its victories.
But over the past four games, MSU’s defense has lacked the fearsome traits it once possessed. Opposing guards have been able to drive to the basket, the ball has been fed effectively into the post, physicality has been matched, shots have fallen and—worst of all—opponents have secured rebounds.
Despite its all-out efforts, MSU has looked slow defending the quickness of its opposition, late in contesting three-point shots and lacking the necessary strength in the post to limit points in the paint.
It can be seen on the court just as clearly as in the stats: over their first 21 games, the Spartans allowed 60 points per game; over the past four, they’ve allowed 83. Maybe it’s the fatigue of 25 games catching up to a team that prides itself on outstanding effort. Or maybe it’s the true colors of — in Izzo’s words — a “not great team” coming to light.
“You have to give Wisconsin some credit [on converting three point baskets],” Izzo said. “But you have to give us some blame, too. We’re not defending the three point shot as well as we had been. We have to defend better. That’s what we’re good at.”
To revert back to where MSU was only weeks ago, there must be better cohesion and consistency in the back court. Guards must limit penetration, contest shots and play with speed and intensity. Post players must limit ball penetration, play physical and rebound. This has been absent for four games, but if it can return, so can winning.
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