Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from loss to No. 6 Baylor

2. Jaden Akins has earned more playing time

When no one else was able to do anything in the second half, it was Jaden Akins who stepped up and played well. He finished with 12 points and was just confident throughout the half when no one else could seem to find their footing. He was the steady force Michigan State needed and his athleticism really matchup up well with Baylor.

Akins played well all game, slamming home a huge put-back dunk in the first half off a Gabe Brown miss and scoring in just about every way. He was 0-for-2 from deep, but that shot will fall for him consistently eventually.

This was a huge confidence-boosting game for Akins, especially since he was lightly-used before this and he put up a career-high 12 points against one of the best teams he’s going to see this year.

Akins didn’t shy away on the big stage when the lights were the brightest and that’s a good sign for his future in East Lansing.

Even the broadcasters said it: Akins is going to be an All-Big Ten player one day.