Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from tough loss at Indiana

Jan 22, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks with guard Jaden Akins (3) in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks with guard Jaden Akins (3) in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Michigan State basketball found out just how tough it is to win on the road in the Big Ten without Malik Hall. The Spartans came up short in Bloomington against a much-improved Indiana team, 82-69.

There were opportunities for the Spartans to extend leads in the first half but they allowed the Hoosiers to go on long runs as a nine-point lead disappeared, but the second half was even more disappointing.

Here’s what we learned from the 13-point road loss to Indiana.

3. Jaxon Kohler continued his hot streak

For a second straight game, Jaxon Kohler looked really solid.

The freshman big man had nine points and six rebounds and looked like a quality big man throughout the entire game. He held up defensively against Trayce Jackson-Davis for the most part and didn’t look overmatched.

Heck, there was a stretch in the first half in which he outplayed Jackson-Davis. He caught him slacking with a nice spin move and score and had a nice spot-up jumper.

If Kohler can continue to play like this, a lot of pressure can be taken off Mady Sissoko.