Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from loss to No. 1 Kansas

Michigan State basketball opened the season with a tough loss to No. 1 Kansas but it wasn’t all bad for the Spartans on Tuesday night.

Though the first half’s tape could be burned, Michigan State closed out Tuesday night’s matchup with Kansas on a high note, out-scoring the Jayhawks 51-42 in the last 20 minutes to come up just short, 92-87.

The Spartans actually had a shot to pull within two or one after trailing by as many as 17, but Cassius Winston’s layup in the final 10 seconds came up just short. It was a commendable comeback by this team against the No. 1 Jayhawks and they should feel good going into Sunday’s contest in East Lansing against Florida Gulf Coast.

What’d we learn from Tuesday night’s tough loss against top-ranked Kansas.

5. Free throws are supposed to be free — act like it

With whistles blowing left and right, Michigan State got plenty of chances to capitalize on Kansas’ foul trouble. The Jayhawks couldn’t catch a break early on and then it was the Spartans late who were whistled for a majority of the fouls. Still, Michigan State didn’t capitalize on the freebies in the first half.

Fortunately, the Spartans finished 13-for-15 at the line after starting 10-of-20, but that’s something that needs to be addressed right away.

Shooting 50 percent on that large of a portion is inexcusable and Tom Izzo must have his guys in the gym hitting a certain mark before they’re allowed to leave practice. It’s a yearly occurrence, it seems, and it needs to be fixed before it’s too late.

This team needs to realize that free throws are just that — free.