Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from comfortable FGCU win

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 11: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his teammate Marcus Bungham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans during a timeout against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles at Breslin Center on November 11, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 11: Decardo Day #0 of the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles drives to the basket while defended by Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on November 11, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Defense could use some work

Watching the back-door cuts lead to easy buckets essentially every time the Eagles made it down the court in the second half had to be infuriating for Tom Izzo.

The Spartans gave up 92 points to Kansas and 82 points to a 1-1 Florida Gulf Coast team and Izzo wasn’t pleased after the game in his presser. He said “we can’t guard anybody” which is an accurate description of the first 80 minutes of the year. The Spartans struggled to slow Kansas down and then gave up 47 second-half points to FGCU.

The bigs are struggling with pick-and-rolls, hedging and failing to get back when the screener rolls to the basket. There were far too many easy buckets as well as and-ones by the Eagles which led to an 82-point showing at Breslin Center.

If the Spartans are going to hope for a deep run in March this season or even a Big Ten title, they need to worry more about shutting down opponents and less about just trying to light up the scoreboard. When you play defense, the offense will come naturally.

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