MSU (13-7 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) put on yet another puzzling performance, this time in a two-point loss to Nebraska.
After scoring the game’s first points, the Spartans trailed the rest of the way, as Nebraska’s Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields delivered a one-two punch that MSU just couldn’t handle. A late rally revealed some grit, but ultimately, it shadowed some of the team’s biggest flaws.
The Spartans were completely unable to guard both Petteway and Shields. MSU is not devoid of athleticism or defensive talent, but after previously giving up a big game to Penn State’s D.J. Newbill (27 points), the Spartans let two top scorers absolutely dominate them.
When previously asked about whether or not the team had found its identity, junior guard Denzel Valentine laid the issue to rest.
“It’s a blue-collar defensive team and execute offensively,” Valentine said. “We have our identity, we just gotta execute our identity.”
Inconsistency has plagued MSU all year, and as Valentine said, execution is the key to its success. At some point, mere flashes of brilliance and energy will not be enough to convince a selection committee of its worthiness.
Senior guard Travis Trice, who perhaps broke out of a minor mid-season funk with 27 points, hit the nail on the head and said that he too sees the team’s fluctuations as a problem.
“We know we have to be a team that brings a lot of energy and effort,” Trice said. “We’ve seen when we play like that, we’re a great team. And when we don’t, that’s when we get in trouble.
“And that even happens throughout a game where we do have stretches of high energy and good effort and we’re doing well and times where we’re not, and that’s when other teams go on their run. Our thing is finding that balance and making sure we’re staying focused the whole game,” he said.
Yes, it’s still relatively early in the conference season, but with two games until the midpoint, MSU needs to find that balance soon. If the players truly understand what they need to do, they will kick it into gear and execute.
The team’s mental toughness is in question, and if any doubt remains, look no further than MSU’s 63 percent shooting percentage from the free-throw line. Making uncontested shots from 15 feet away is entirely on the players. It’s one of the largest mental aspects of the game, dependent on focus, confidence and composure.
After defeating Northwestern in overtime this year, Izzo related the team’s season to the ups-and-downs of the stock market. A few weeks later, that comparison still stands.
