Michigan State Basketball: 3 things we learned from loss to Indiana

What three things did we learn about Michigan State basketball from its tough loss to Indiana on Saturday evening?

On a night when James Blackmon and Robert Johnson combine for 50 points, you know the outcome was not going to be good for Michigan State. In fact, the Spartans found themselves down by 20 points to the Hoosiers, at one point, but stormed back to nearly pull off the comeback victory.

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Michigan State trailed 59-39 with 15 minutes to go in the second half only to pull within four with a couple minutes remaining. The Spartans couldn’t take advantage of opportunities down the stretch, though, and forced some poor shots, leading to a seven-point loss.

Tom Izzo can’t be happy with how flat his team came out and played, but the comeback is something positive to take from this. The Spartans were never truly out of the game and that’s a mindset they can carry with them throughout the season.

Here’s what we learned about the struggling Spartans from their Indiana loss.

1. Cassius Winston needs to be the primary PG

No disrespect to Tum Tum Nairn, but the offense seems to remain content with running the shot clock down to five seconds before making a push at the basket when he’s in. Cassius Winston was the star for the Spartans in the second half not necessarily on the scoreboard, but from a catalyst standpoint. He got things moving and created open shots for teammates — such as a big alley-oop to Miles Bridges and easy dunk for Kenny Goins. He needs to be the primary point guard.

2. Miles Bridges is forcing too many shots

Bridges is the best player on the team, and there’s really no doubt about that. Sure, he has a lot of pressure taken off him from guys like Nick Ward, Eron Harris, Josh Langford and Winston, but he is the top dog and sometimes he lets that get into his head. No, he’s not cocky or a ball-hog (he led the team with four assists), but he forces too many poor shots in clutch situations. He wants to be the guy to lead MSU to victory, but he took a couple of ugly threes against Indiana which halted any momentum.

3. Eron Harris has the ability, but confidence is the issue

Once again, Harris had a big game and he looked like the scorer everyone expected him to be before the season began. The senior guard started yet again and finished with a team-high 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and 3-of-4 from downtown. He played the second-most minutes on the team and showed he has the ability to be a star, but his confidence could hold him back. When he’s feeling it, he can be the difference, but when Izzo is pulling him and playing him just 13 minutes, he won’t be a factor.

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