Michigan State basketball received major wake-up call with Duke loss

Michigan State basketball lost an ugly one with Duke this week, but it’s way too early to hit the panic button and give up on the 2019-20 season.

After the loss against Duke, being upset and angry is understandable. The game was hard to watch. Duke was faster, stronger and wanted the game 100 percent more than the Spartans did.

But with that loss came many exaggerations and wild thoughts. Michigan State still has plenty of time to improve this season and become a more polished team.

As bad as it may look right now, there’s plenty of time for the Spartans.

For one, this isn’t new. Michigan State has always had issues with playing big-name teams early in the year and out of conference. Another thing is Michigan State isn’t meant to be a team at the top this early in the season. Michigan State actually may have got the medicine it needed. The Spartans are a good basketball team but they are also a younger and new to the speed.

It will take young players like Rocket Watts and Malik Hall time to grow as the season moves along. Even Marcus Bingham Jr. will be a project. There are new names being put in big roles and having to play really good teams very early. Being that young and playing Kentucky and Duke early isn’t easy. Even Aaron Henry is still coming along.

This isn’t a talent issue its a simple matter of letting these guys understand the pace of the game and each other then letting time tell.

But don’t let losses to Duke, Kentucky and Virginia Tech have you think Michigan State isn’t still a dangerous team. Michigan State is always the type of team that learns each others strengths and builds on them as the year goes on. The fire has been lit, let’s see how Michigan State responds.