Michigan State Basketball: 3 keys to victory against No. 9 Duke

Michigan State forward Xavier Booker (34) goes to the basket against Southern Indiana during the second half at Breslin Center in East Lansing on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.
Michigan State forward Xavier Booker (34) goes to the basket against Southern Indiana during the second half at Breslin Center in East Lansing on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.
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Michigan State center Mady Sissoko (22) battles for the ball against Southern Indiana forward Nick Hittle (50) during the first half at Breslin Center in East Lansing on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.
Michigan State center Mady Sissoko (22) battles for the ball against Southern Indiana forward Nick Hittle (50) during the first half at Breslin Center in East Lansing on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.

2. Weaknesses have to become strengths

We have covered rebounding, but the Spartans have to clean up the turnovers and make 3-point shots. If the Spartans shoot lights out from beyond the arc, Spartan Nation is knocking down the doors to the United Center, stealing the rims and installing them at the Breslin.

Much like a hot streak, there is no way the Spartans continue to shoot this poorly. The shots are open and the ball is going halfway through the hoop before defying physics and popping out. But even if it does continue, the Spartans will need to cut down on turnovers to further eliminate empty possessions.

I know, asking Tom Izzo teams to not turn over the ball is like asking the sun not to rise. We have been calling on the team to stop turning the ball over since 1996 but it’s just something with which we have to live.

There are

good turnovers

turnovers I can live with and bad turnovers. Cutting the unforced errors is a matter of mental focus and we’ll see early on if this team is ready for the big time.