3 quick thoughts from Michigan State basketball's disheartening loss to Memphis
After picking up a dominant win over Colorado on Monday, Michigan State basketball slipped back into that inconsistent play that plagued it a year ago, losing to Memphis on Tuesday, 71-63.
The loss itself isn't a bad one as Memphis is an NCAA Tournament team, but it isn't that much better than Michigan State to the point that the Tigers should've led wire-to-wire. The Tigers essentially controlled the game which was disappointing and disheartening, considering the high everyone was riding after a 72-56 win over Colorado.
Michigan State will get a chance to redeem itself on Wednesday against a North Carolina team that's coming off back-to-back exhausting games in which the defense looked defeated.
Before we get into that, here are my thoughts from the Memphis loss.
1. The bigs got a reality check
The post had been a strength through the first six games of the season as Jaxon Kohler, Szymon Zapala, and Carson Cooper were all playing well. The concerns about the center play this season had seemingly melted away, but then Memphis exploited these guys all game long.
Kohler got bullied on the glass and still finished with seven points and eight rebounds but it could've been more like 10-12 rebounds if he held his ground better. Zapala was essentially a non-factor with no points, three rebounds, and four fouls in 13 minutes. And Cooper didn't do much either with zero points, two rebounds, and two fouls in eight minutes.
This may have been the wake-up call these guys needed.
2. Jase Richardson may be the best player on the team
Who would have thought this before the season? After playing well in Spain and in the preseason games, it should've been less surprising, but through seven games, it feels like Jase Richardson is the best player on the team.
While Jaden Akins has his moments and Frankie Fidler will eventually be really good, it feels like Richardson is the straw that stirs the team's drink right now.
He finished with another career game on Tuesday, scoring 18 points with three rebounds and two assists on 5-of-8 shooting.
3. It might be time to worry about Xavier Booker
Coming into the year, we heard all about the progress that Xavier Booker was making. All offseason, he had worked with pros and with trainers to get his body right and to work on his all-around game.
Through seven games, we have yet to see any of that.
Booker did play 17 minutes so it seems like Tom Izzo is trusting him again, but he was held scoreless yet again and grabbed just two rebounds. That's what you call counterproductive for 17 minutes of action from a former five-star prospect.
Not going to lie, it might be time to worry about Booker's role.