Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over No. 3 Purdue

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket late in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 31: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during warmups prior to a basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s foul trouble is out of control

Do Big Ten officials know how officiate Jaren Jackson Jr. correctly? It sure doesn’t seem that way. The 6-foot-11 freshman has been pegged with two fouls seemingly before the opening tip. His foul trouble is a growing concern and it doesn’t seem to be improving any time soon.

Jackson Jr. only played 11 minutes against Purdue and it was due to his foul issue, finishing with four by the end of the game. However, he did have two early on, which forced him to the bench.

In all but eight games this season, Jackson Jr. has finished with at least three fouls. In 15 games, the star freshman has finished with at least four fouls and he has fouled out four times.

How can this problem be fixed? There really is no true answer. He was whistled for a questionable hand-check call against the Boilermakers, so defending against the drive has become increasingly difficult for the big freshman. He has been good at going straight up for blocks, but he gets called for a lot of post-up fouls.

It’s an issue, but it might be something Michigan State just has to live with.

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