USC came to the state of Michigan with a 12-1 record, and after Monday night’s thrashing by Michigan State basketball, the Trojans will head home 12-3.
Michigan State, on the other hand, bounced back from its first Big Ten loss of the season to beat the Trojans by 29 points, 80-51. The Spartans did this on the back of Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, and impressive bench play.
What’d we learn from Monday night’s Izzone Alumni game win?
1. Jaxon Kohler is one of the nation’s most improved
Watching Kohler as a freshman or sophomore, or even early in his junior season, was not quite as enjoyable as it is now. Heck, it’s not even in the same realm of watchability. He is arguably the most improved player in the Big Ten and one of the most improved nationally.
Kohler, who’s shooting 56 percent from the floor and 54 percent from deep, went a perfect 6-for-6 on Monday night, including making all three of his 3-point attempts. He finished with 16 points.
Not only has he improved offensively, but he looks like a completely different player on defense. He’s averaging a career-best 1.8 stocks (steals/blocks) per game. And on Monday, he gained Izzo’s respect after a heated back-and-forth discussion.
It’s been fun to watch him grow.
2. The freshmen are rounding into form
With Big Ten play officially returning earlier this month, getting more production from role players is going to be important because Fears, Kohler, Carson Cooper, and Coen Carr aren’t going to be on their A-games every single night — it’s just not realistic.
That’s why having the freshmen step up is so important.
They did just that against USC, and they have been for weeks.
Cam Ward had just three points and only took one shot, and I’d like to see him be more aggressive offensively, but he grabbed six rebounds (three offensive), and recorded a steal in 14 minutes. He’s looking like a monster down low.
Jordan Scott was also solid on Monday, scoring eight points on 3-for-5 shooting, and he had three rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal. He seems to always be making the right plays.
These two are rounding into form at the perfect time.
3. Tom Izzo has a special team on his hands
This is a special team, and it proved that on Monday.
We had Coen Carr bouncing back from a rough start, Ward grabbing grown-man rebounds over juniors and seniors, Kur Teng gaining confidence in his shot, and both Fears and Kohler going after Izzo on the sidelines and in huddles.
Izzo loved it.
We already knew that this team was full of dogs, but seeing Kohler and Fears bite back at Izzo after he gave them an earful, and the Hall of Fame head coach tried to hold back a smile. He loves when players challenge him back.
Michigan State didn’t even play its best game (probably a C+ at best) and still found a way to beat a 12-2 USC team by 29 points, holding it to 51.
This is a special team.