Michigan State Basketball: 3 improvements to make after Kansas loss

Michigan State basketball kicked off its season with an 87-74 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks. Throughout the first half, the Spartans were keeping pace with the Jayhawks and they were going back and forth.

However, with about 3:30 minutes left to play in the half, things started to crumble and go downhill.

There are some major improvements that need to be made and when they adjust then this team can be hard to beat.

1. Turnovers

Michigan State’s biggest enemy for many years now has been itself with the turnovers it commits.

In the Spartans’ opener against Kansas, they had 16 total turnovers. Sloppy passes that were late getting to where they needed to be and poor decisions.

AJ Hoggard looked great and was probably the best player on the floor for Michigan State but his decision-making was often slow-developing. He passes the ball late which leads to run-out dunks.

Tyson Walker looked uncomfortable all night. He is new to the team and still adjusting so he will get better as he gets more chemistry with this team. They each led the team with three turnovers apiece.

2. Second-chance opportunities

In the first half of the game, MSU was getting a number of second-chance looks. When you don’t turn the ball over, you will get more chances to get a second shot. They out-rebounded Kansas but they need to crash on the offensive side and get those second-chance looks.

Another thing that will help them is to not settle for the long jumper. Get the ball to the big man in Marcus Bingham and Julius Marble and let them go to work. They are big enough they can get their own rebounds.

Also, drive it to the hole and pull the big’s defender away so they have a better shot at getting the potential chance of getting the offensive rebound. When you do not turn the ball over you will get more second-chance opportunities.

3. Free throw shooting

Michigan State also needs to do a better job when it gets to the charity stripe. The Spartans struggled, converting only 9-of-16 from the line.

The best free throw shooter on the team last night was Julius Marble who went 5-for-6. Hoggard went 0-for-2 and everyone else went 1-for-2 from the line.

When the Spartans get those free points they have to make them count, especially the guards. If the guards cannot convert at the line how will the Spartans fare when a team starts to foul when trying to come back in the game. Free throws will win or lose you the game and this aspect needs to be improved for Michigan State to excel this season.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the team in their season opener. They kept it a game for the most part. They are also young. Max Christie and Jaden Akins had some first-game jitters but they will settle down and be solid for the Spartans this season.

Hoggard has had a massive improvement since last season. Walker will find himself. This was the first game and although they have a lot of improvement upon this is a team that will fly under the radar this season and could possibly make a run in March.

It all starts with improving these three things, though.

Michigan State plays Western Michigan at the Breslin Center at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday.