It’s Christmas, and Michigan State basketball fans will be hoping to unwrap some useful gifts, but I’m sure they would rather get something from Tom Izzo and the Spartans.
While most Christmas gifts are physical, Michigan State fans will be wishing for success on the court throughout the rest of the season. They’ve probably already asked for another national title for Izzo, but there are several other things that should be on every Spartan hoops fan’s wish list.
Here’s what Spartan basketball fans should be hoping to unwrap this holiday season.
1. An aggressive Coen Carr
Michigan State fans got to see what happens when Coen Carr is aggressive, and that was on full display against Oakland last Saturday afternoon.
Carr drove the lane, looked for his shot from the mid-range and 3-point line, and just kept attacking. He finished with a career-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds, two blocks, and two assists on 8-of-13 shooting. He was 7-of-9 from inside the 3-point arc.
Much like Miles Bridges back in 2017-18, Carr needs to be more selfish and aggressive because the offense needs a shot in the arm. He raises this team’s ceiling when he’s aggressive.
2. Consistent 3-point shooting
Michigan State began the season as one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country, but the Spartans have slowly gotten better and are now shooting 36 percent from deep.
The Spartans have three 40-plus percent 3-points shooters in Divine Ugochukwu, Jaxon Kohler, and Jesse McCulloch, but they could use maybe a fourth, but a guy who plays starter’s minutes like Kur Teng or Jordan Scott. It would be nice to have a handful of guys who can knock down threes consistently.
Too often Michigan State is flirting with 20-30 percent from deep.
3. A clear starting 2-guard
Izzo has been searching for a clear starter at the two-guard spot all season long and that is going to continue into Big Ten play. He has gotten some decent production out of Ugochukwu and Teng, but it would be nice to see someone step up as the clear starter.
A clear starting two-guard is exactly what this team needs to contend for titles.