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Michigan State basketball: Report card for big win over Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 07: Head coach Tom Izzo reacts while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 07, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 59-53. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 07: Head coach Tom Izzo reacts while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 07, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 59-53. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State’s Jaden Akins, right, moves the ball as Michigan’s Jett Howard defends during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.230107 Msu Mich Bball 166a
Michigan State’s Jaden Akins, right, moves the ball as Michigan’s Jett Howard defends during the second half on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.230107 Msu Mich Bball 166a /

Jaden Akins: B

Outside of a 3-pointer early in the game and free throws to put a bow on top of the win, Jaden Akins was fairly quiet offensively. I wanted to see him look for his shot more, but it felt like he struggled to get open which he had no problem with against Nebraska.

Akins finished with just six points and was 1-for-5 from the floor which isn’t terrible, but the Spartans need him to be a bigger offensive threat and just five shots throughout the game isn’t going to cut it moving forward.

No turnovers, strong defense, and no critical mistakes led to this grade of a B on Saturday afternoon. He didn’t do a ton on offense but his defense more than made up for it.

Having three plus defenders on the perimeter gives the Spartans an edge against most of the opponents they face in the Big Ten and could help them win the conference.

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