Michigan State Basketball: 3 players who should be getting less minutes

Foster Loyer

I may actually be a part of the small minority of MSU fans who still think that Foster Loyer can be an effective player. In fact, I think the way that he played last year was extremely effective as a 45 percent 3-point shooter. He can genuinely take over the game if you throw him in with the reserves off-ball. That’s not a shot at him, just where he fits in at the Big Ten level.

But when Loyer is playing 17 minutes per game as Michigan State’s primary ball handler, he’s crippling the offense. Heck, he’s even crippling his own game. Since last year, his three point shooting percentage has dropped by over 10 percent and his field goal percentage in general has dropped by over 13 percent. He’s only notching 2.3 assists per game as the primary ball handler on a team that historically prides itself on passing.

Izzo needs to stop trying to fit a square block into a round hole. Loyer’s minutes should not necessarily be reduced altogether, but he needs to find a better spot in the rotation, because point guard is not working for him. It never has and it never will.

Teams are not afraid of his shooting because he’s forcing up so many shots this year and his shooting percentages are in the gutter. They’re not afraid that he’s going to drive to the paint because he’s, well, tiny. The defense can completely relax when they see No. 3 dribbling up the court.

Izzo needs to take away dumb minutes for Loyer and give him smarter minutes if he wants to keep his tournament streak alive.