Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Ohio State upset

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans rects during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans rects during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Lourawls Nairn Jr. #11 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Lourawls Nairn Jr. #11 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. This loss might be good for Michigan State

Believe it or not, this loss could very well be a good thing for Michigan State. The young Spartans haven’t faced adversity like this since the Duke loss and they responded well to that, winning 14 straight games, including two consecutive against top-10 teams.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 most memorable moments of 2017

Losing to start Big Ten play again will wake the beast. Michigan State was sleep-walking through opponents through the better part of the season, especially December, and it needed a wake-up call. It got just that from the Buckeyes.

Ohio State was the better team on Sunday night, there’s no doubt about that, but the Spartans must go forward believing that no one should beat them again. This team is as talented as any Tom Izzo-coached team over the past two decades, but it didn’t play like that against Ohio State. That needs to change.

Next: MSU Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for January

No more taking games for granted and coming out flat, Michigan State must get back to the basics, not settle for outside shots as much, pass to find the open man more and take smart shots. This punch in the mouth is exactly what the Spartans needed to get into gear to resume conference play and make a run at the Big Ten title.

Home/Spartans Basketball