Michigan State Basketball: 5 ways to turn 2019-20 season around

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Cassius Winston #5 and Kyle Ahrens #0 of the Michigan State Spartans talk in the second half of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Breslin Center on February 15, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4 of 5

EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 15: Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans grabs a rebound in the second half of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Breslin Center on February 15, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Rebound

Being aggressive on the glass is something that made Michigan State’s program what it is today as that’s a point of pride for Tom Izzo.

On Saturday night in the loss to No. 9 Maryland, the Spartans were down 22-10 in total rebounds at one point, but they finally battled back only to lost the battle on the glass 35-34. Losing this battle by one isn’t all that disappointing, but it could have been avoided and led to a 13-point first-half deficit.

Look back at the other three losses in the past few weeks as well. It’s a common trend.

Michigan State falls behind early, can’t win the battle on the boards and loses the 50/50 battles for loose balls. The hustle just hasn’t been there and the opposing offensive rebounding has been out of this world — and it’s not because every team MSU plays is elite on the glass.

The Spartans need to get back to the basics, crash the boards and be more aggressive on both ends of the floor. They just aren’t getting enough second-chance points due to offensive boards and that needs to change.

It’s been a while since we’ve said this, but Michigan State has been consistently out-toughed lately.

Home/Spartans Basketball