Michigan State Baskeball: 5 fixes to make before 2018 NCAA Tournament

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 31: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a play during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second half at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

5. Playing with heart and competitive fire

Second chances are few and far between, but when a second chance arises what are you expected to do? I would only assume it is expected that a second chance is taken advantage of and used to right the wrong that was committed.

Well, after a narrow victory over a pesky Wisconsin team Friday afternoon, the Michigan State locker room was full of “we want Michigan” from the players. This was a refreshing sight to see, as this team wanted to get their redemption of a pitiful performance on Jan. 13.

That was all for naught, because the second the game tipped off Saturday, the Spartans were flat, and had no spark to come out and right their wrong. Even after a dreadful first half, MSU held a three-point lead, but before you knew it Michigan had an energy the Spartans couldn’t come close to matching.

How is one to expect Michigan State to come out energetic and competitive in a Sweet 16 or Elite Eight game verse a high-level competitor, when they come out flat against an arch-rival. The Spartans need to find a new gear, and a new energy level to make any sort of noise this March.

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