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Michigan State Basketball: 3 quick reactions to disappointing loss at Ohio State

By Nate Rhoades

Mar 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Joey Hauser (10) controls the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Joey Hauser (10) controls the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) defends during the first half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) shoots over Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25) and forward Joey Hauser (10) during the second half of the NCAA men’s basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2022. Ohio State won 80-69.Michigan State Spartans At Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) shoots over Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25) and forward Joey Hauser (10) during the second half of the NCAA men’s basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus on March 3, 2022. Ohio State won 80-69.Michigan State Spartans At Ohio State Buckeyes /

1. The defense is atrocious

Michigan State is in a slump on the defensive side of the floor. This game against Ohio State is the second in a row in which they allow a big man to get anything he wanted early on and allow him to get in a rhythm.

The Spartans have to focus on making the bigs uncomfortable — anticipate what they are going to do and jump on defense. Joey Brunk was backing anyone down then he was faking to the inside twice before he spun to the baseline and was wide open. No one on Michigan State was anticipating what the big man was going to do.

Michigan State should have realized early that he was doing the same thing over and over. Julius Marble, Marcus Bingham, and Joey Hauser should have bodied him and then immediately slipped to the baseline side to force him to the inside. This does a couple of things to the big: it forces him to do something he was not really ready for and also allows for the help-side defense to actually help.

Michigan State is also digging and slipping their opponent to help down low. If they would have noticed that Brunk was doing the same thing over and over again they would have had the help needed and thrown him off his game a little bit.

These Spartans need to see these little quirks that players play with and adjust accordingly. The coaching staff also needs to communicate that to their players and demand better on the block.

Getting out-toughed and manhandled is not something Michigan State is used to and it has to get better.

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