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Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from season-opening loss to Kansas

By Connor Muldowney

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 09: Mitch Lightfoot #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks and Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans pursue the loose ball during the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 09, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 09: Mitch Lightfoot #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks and Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans pursue the loose ball during the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 09, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Nov 9, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Max Christie (5) shoots the ballas Kansas Jayhawks guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (55) and Kansas Jayhawks forward David McCormack (33) defend during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Max Christie (5) shoots the ballas Kansas Jayhawks guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (55) and Kansas Jayhawks forward David McCormack (33) defend during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The newcomers had some first-game nerves

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t blown away by Michigan State’s three newcomers who saw the floor on Tuesday night. But that was to be expected.

Max Christie and Jaden Akins were playing their first real college basketball action and the bright lights seemed to blind them a little bit. Tyson Walker was getting adjusted to a new team.

Christie’s shot was off and he was a little flat-footed on the defensive end of the floor which led to a few blow-bys for the Jayhawks. He’s only going to get better and you can’t blame a freshman for looking a little rattled in his first action against the No. 3 team in the country. He finished the game with just nine points on 3-of-10 shooting and his defense left a lot to be desired.

Akins didn’t play a ton of minutes, but he did take a few shots and was 0-for-3 from the floor and made one of his two free throws. He also turned the ball over which led to an easy bucket for the Jayhawks and just didn’t look entirely comfortable.

Walker was a non-factor on offense, taking just three shots and making one for two points. His defense was solid, but he needs to have an impact on the other side of the ball in the scoring column and turn the ball over less.

It can only get better for these three guys.

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