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Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from Thanksgiving Day loss to Arizona

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) controls the ball as Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) looks on during the Acrisure Classic in Palm Desert, Calif., on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2023.
Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) controls the ball as Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) looks on during the Acrisure Classic in Palm Desert, Calif., on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2023. /
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Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) drives to the basket during the first half of the Acrisure Classic game against the Arizona Wildcats in Palm Desert, Calif., on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2023.
Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) drives to the basket during the first half of the Acrisure Classic game against the Arizona Wildcats in Palm Desert, Calif., on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 2023. /

1. Slow starts are (once again) killing this team

Once again, Michigan State found itself down double-digits in the first half. That is now the third time this season the Spartans were down big early and were forced to scratch and claw their way back into the game.

The other two instances? James Madison and Duke. The results? Single-digit losses.

If Michigan State had even average starts against these three teams, the Spartans are 5-1, at worst. The Spartans were the better team against Arizona for the final 30 minutes, or so, of the game and they were the better team in the second half against Duke and James Madison.

These slow starts are killers.

The talent is there. The potential is there. The pieces are there. What’s missing is the mental focus in the first 10-15 minutes of every big game. That just can’t happen moving forward.

Will this be a wake-up call? You’d think the James Madison and Duke games would’ve been just that, but then Arizona happened. Let’s hope they figure it out.

Next. Power ranking MSU head coaching candidates after Week 12. dark

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