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Michigan State Basketball: Report card for Champions Classic loss to Kentucky

By Connor Muldowney

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Madison Square Garden on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Madison Square Garden on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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Losing any season opener is tough, but Michigan State basketball flashed some positives against Kentucky in an otherwise sloppy game.

If your name is Tom Izzo, you have to feel optimistic after the opening loss to Kentucky. Why, you might ask? Because his team played poorly and still nearly beat the No. 2 team in the country and they have plenty of room to get better.

After the game, Izzo even stated that he believes Michigan State can get a ton better while Kentucky may be closer to mid-season form.

He’s not wrong.

Michigan State may have been listed as the No. 1 team in the country, but the Spartans didn’t play like it. They shot poorly, had too many mental mistakes, missed opportunities and silly fouls and the difference was still only a few points. The Spartans actually pulled within two late in the second half before Tyrese Maxey hit a 3-pointer from five feet behind the line with the shot clock winding down and a hand in his face. That was the back-breaker.

Cassius Winston scored 21 points and had himself a decent game, but it just wasn’t enough to overcome a poor shooting night on all accounts — Michigan State was 5-of-26 from 3-point range.

So let’s not waste anymore time and let’s get to the report card from the loss, beginning with the starters.

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