Michigan State basketball’s lack of fire is unacceptable

After an ugly 25-point loss to Minnesota, Michigan State basketball’s lack of fire has become increasingly concerning and unacceptable.

It was apparent early on against Minnesota: Michigan State just didn’t have it. This had been the case with the Spartans ever since beating Duke six games ago.

For the past few weeks, Michigan State has been playing some uninspired, fire-less basketball which has led to a 3-3 record which could easily be 1-5 or 2-4 with a couple of huge upsets to mid-majors such as Western Michigan, Detroit Mercy or Oakland.

Michigan State basketball has been bad. Like really bad. Like worst stretch of basketball in the Tom Izzo era bad.

And the issue isn’t talent. Michigan State has plenty of that despite losing Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman. Actually, you could argue that this team is one of the more talented and deep teams Izzo has had in East Lansing, but there’s a growing issue: a lack of on-court leaders.

Guys like Joshua Langford, Foster Loyer, Aaron Henry, Rocket Watts and Joey Hauser all have the ability to be leaders in the locker room, but when things are going poorly on the court, no one is stepping up and taking control. No one is holding teammates accountable like Cassius or Xavier had done over the past few years.

There’s not vocal leadership.

And that has led to a lack of fire. When Michigan State gets behind by 6-8 points early on, it seems like the team mails it in by taking poor shots and trying to force too much. No one has been that calming force as a leader and that’s what’s dooming this team.

It’s unacceptable right now.

Izzo knows he has talent. He wouldn’t be as comfortable and upbeat after a loss to Wisconsin on Christmas Day in the post-game presser if that wasn’t true. But he knows he needs leaders.

Falling behind 11-5 to Minnesota early on, it felt like the game was over even though the game was only a few minutes in and it was because of the Spartans’ body language. No one looked confident or showed fire. That’s why this team just feels different right now. The second that changes and this team starts showing toughness, fire and a will to win, we can start to feel good about this team again.

It’s no surprise that the Spartans are 0-3 to start Big Ten play with the way they’ve performed.

Getting out-rebounded 52-36, recording just 10 assists and shooting 26 percent from the floor while playing terrible defense, this team is not playing Michigan State basketball.

Something drastic needs to change, and fast.