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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from quarterfinal win over Wisconsin

By Connor Muldowney

Miles Bridges, Michigan State basketball (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Miles Bridges, Michigan State basketball (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Jaren Jackson Jr. must cut the silly fouls

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s foul trouble has become a common issue for the Spartans this season and continued as such on Friday afternoon in Madison Square Garden — although the fifth foul was baited by an arm-grab by Ethan Happ.

From the opening tip, it seemed like Jackson Jr. was already dealt a couple of fouls. It’s tough for him to avoid the calls because of the way he plays and how much bigger and longer he is than everyone else, but the Spartans need to work on him avoiding the reach-in as well as the over-the-back fouls.

When Jackson Jr. isn’t on the floor, Michigan State isn’t nearly as effective on the defensive end — there’s a reason he was named the conference’s defensive player of the year.

However, when he is on the floor and avoiding foul trouble, the Spartans are extremely difficult to score on in the post. The Spartans will need him to avoid that in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments this month.

It seems obvious, but not having him on the floor for 20-plus minutes could be the difference between a win and a loss.

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