Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from embarrassing loss to James Madison

2. Tyson Walker can only do so much

Once again, Tyson Walker was fantastic. The senior guard had one of his best games as a Spartan, making 12-of-26 shots from the floor, finishing with 35 points. If he had made his free throws, he would have had his first 40-point game and the Spartans probably win, but this loss was on anyone but Walker (and Coen Carr).

Walker basically put the team on his back when no one else was able to make a shot. That was a sight to see, but he can’t do this. Michigan State can’t let him. It doesn’t work out.

No, I’m not saying Walker can’t have breakout games like this where he posts 30-plus points and basically can’t miss but rather Michigan State can’t keep letting him be the only guy who does anything. He can only do so much. He was the main reason the Spartans were even in this game to begin with.

But in the six games that Walker has hit the 30-point mark in his Michigan State career, the Spartans are just 3-3. That shows that when he hits 30, it usually means he’s putting the team on his back. He needs help.

Walker can be the focal point on offense, but he can’t do it alone. And Monday night was a prime example of why that is.