Michigan State Basketball: 5 biggest concerns entering 2018 NCAA Tournament

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 03: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 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) /

2. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s constant foul trouble

This one is a no-brainer. Like Nick Ward, Jaren Jackson Jr. doesn’t stay on the floor nearly as long as he should for an elite player. Unlike Ward, Jackson Jr.’s issue isn’t that he’s on a short leash, but rather that he’s always in foul trouble.

Sure, Tom Izzo often misuses Jackson Jr. but when he does let the freshman big man play his natural game, he’s virtually unstoppable.

Just how much foul trouble has Jackson Jr. been in this season? If the last four games tell you anything, it’s quite a bit of foul trouble. In fact, he’s recorded at least four fouls in three of the last four contests, fouling out once. In 20 Big Ten games (including tournament games), he has finished with at least four fouls 11 times — that’s 55 percent of the time.

Maybe the officiating will be different in the NCAA Tournament, but it seemed like Big Ten referees didn’t quite know how to consistently call a game with Jackson Jr.

Foul trouble is a concern, but if Jackson Jr. can stay out of it in March, the Spartans will be tough to beat.

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