Michigan State Basketball: 3 quick thoughts on ugly loss to Wisconsin

Michigan State basketball is going through a skid. They are 4-3 over their last seven games. With March approaching they need to figure some things out.

Michigan State surrendered its second loss in the Breslin Center of the season to the Wisconsin Badgers. The Spartans started off slow and could not find their shot. They let Wisconsin dictate the flow of the game, and they let the pesky turnovers get in their way once again.

Wisconsin had one of their star players back in this game, Tyler Wahl, and it showed. The Spartans struggled to get the ball down low consistently and they were not able to dribble drive with the tight defense Wisconsin was playing in.

Along with that tight defense, anytime MSU had an open look or a good look at the basket they were not able to convert. The Spartans shot an abysmal 21 percent in the first half. It got better throughout the second as they ended the game with a making 41 percent of their shots.

Another tough outing from the starters and it resulted in another loss. Here are some quick thoughts on this loss.

3. Max Christie is slumping

Nearing the end of the month of January, Max Christie was starting to find his rhythm. They were running screens for Christie to get open. They were starting to let the offense run through him and then the Wisconsin game happened.

The Badgers were hounding Christie all game and not letting him get good looks from the floor. However, They were not running him on off ball screens to let Christie find an opening. Instead, most of his shots were when he produced something on his own.

Christie only made three of his eight attempts because of this hounding defense but also because he was not used a ton in off ball screens so he could get a catch and shot opportunity. Christie, who has taken the second most 3-pointers for the team this year, was not able to even attempt a three on Tuesday night.

With the Spartans shooting only 3-for-14 from behind the arc, Christie needed to get involved.

The Spartans need to get back on track and get the offense flowing through the freshman once again. When Michigan State started to look like they were finding their groove, Christie was one of the main offensive leaders. This needs to happen again.