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

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Tom Izzo the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans gives instructions to his team against the Kansas Jayhwaks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4 of 5

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 06: Tom Izzo the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans gives instructions to his team against the Kansas Jayhwaks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Cut the turnovers, become a contender

Turnovers, turnovers and, you guessed it, more turnovers for the Spartans on Tuesday night did them in.

Bill Self’s Jayhawks are just far too athletic and deep to allow a team to finish with 18 turnovers and beat them. Michigan State couldn’t keep a solid handle on the ball all night, especially Cassius Winston, Nick Ward and Xavier Tillman, as they finished with 13 combined.

Ward and Tillman had a tough day in the post, getting double-teamed and coughing the ball up to the Jayhawks with pressure added. This is something Ward has constantly struggled with and he must figure out how to effectively break the double-teams. Tillman, on the other hand, just made a few poor passes to guys wearing the wrong colored jersey.

As expected, Winston made plenty of good plays, but there were instances where he pushed the tempo slightly too much and that resulted in a change of possession.

If Michigan State cleans up the turnover issue, the Spartans become serious contenders.

Home/Spartans Basketball