Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from frustrating Purdue loss

1. Tom Izzo’s coaching gaffes continued

Honestly, at this point I don’t even know what to say.

Is this Michigan State team good? No. Are they talented? Yeah, actually more than people realize. There’s so much talent on this team but everyone seems to be underperforming at the same time — and have been for a month — but Tom Izzo’s lineup mismanagement hasn’t helped matters. The Hall of Fame head coach has gone in reverse this season and it’s been concerning.

I have been one of the biggest defenders of Izzo over the years because he’s a winner and he deserves the benefit of the doubt but he’s also not immune to criticism. His lineup mismanagement this season has been atrocious.

It continued against Purdue.

Mady Sissoko gives good minutes in the post in the first half with five points and four rebounds but doesn’t see a minute in the final 20? Marcus Bingham Jr. gets a foul or misses a shot and gets immediately pulled? Thomas Kithier struggles against Trevion Williams but continues to get minutes in the post guarding him?

These coaching gaffes are part of the problem and a reason why Michigan State lost another game by double-digits and will miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over two decades.