Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from blowout of Michigan

2. Jaden Akins can take over games

I think this was the game we have all been waiting for. A dominant performance from Jaden Akins who decided to return to Michigan State for his junior year instead of entering the NBA draft.

When he came back, everyone kind of expected him to take that next step offensively, but it just hadn't happened. He is averaging a career-best 11 points per game, but his 3-point shooting numbers have dipped slightly and he's actually playing 0.4 less minutes than he did as a sophomore.

Akins decided to put the Big Ten on notice on Tuesday night, putting up a career-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting and he was also an incredible 7-for-10 from deep.

Seeing Akins have his best career game against Michigan on a night when the Spartans started really slowly out of the gates was refreshing. It shows that he can take over games when he needs to and he truly did when Tyson Walker was struggling offensively.

Having Akins get hot is the best possible thing for this team.