Tom Izzo’s birthday was spoiled on Friday night as the Michigan vs. Michigan State basketball game didn’t exactly go his way. The Spartans were out-toughed from the get-go, leading to an 83-71 Michigan win after a little second-half comeback fell short.
Michigan State actually led by two with seven minutes left but couldn’t hold on as Michigan went on a little run to close with a 12-point win.
What’d we learn from the most disappointing loss of the season?
1. It can’t just be Jeremy Fears
It hurts to say after such a strong start to the season, but Jeremy Fears cannot be the only player playing effective basketball. At least Cassius Winston’s teams had other players who stepped up when he was off — this team had no one else step up on Friday night.
If Fears is the only one who shows up for the Michigan game on his own floor, that’s a bad sign.
Fears was really good again, scoring 31 points with seven assists. If he wasn’t out there, Michigan State may have lost by 30-plus. Everyone else was that bad. He needs some help, and this loss was proof.
2. MSU got out-toughed
The team that I expected to come out with nerves did the exact opposite, and the team that I expected to look tough and come out with energy didn’t.
I expected Michigan State to come out hungry and play the exact opposite of the way it did on Friday night — which was disappointing to see after the Rutgers performance.
Michigan State doesn’t often get out-toughed, but the Wolverines stuck it to the Spartans and looked like the better team for about 30 minutes. It’s disappointing that Michigan State took a lead with seven minutes left and then choked it away and never had a chance again.
This has to be a wake-up call.
3. This loss has to lead to a run
This loss hurt. There’s no sugarcoating that. Michigan was the better team and unfortunately deserved to win, but this team needs to use this as the start of a run.
Michigan State faces another tough battle on Feb. 4 at Minnesota, and then they’ll host a really good Illinois team three days after that. The Spartans then go to Wisconsin a week later. Things won’t get easier for this team, but this has to be a wake-up call.
Michigan punked the Spartans on their own floor, and that has to really tick Izzo and Fears off. This should lead to a complete mentality change and I’d assume they come out looking much more focused on Feb. 4 at Minnesota.
We can only hope.