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Three Areas Michigan State Must Improve After Loss to UConn
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- Three Areas Michigan State Must Improve After Loss to UConn
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Tuesday night featured a top-six exhibition matchup between the Michigan State Spartans and the UConn Huskies.
It was the Spartans' first taste of elite competition this season, and it was easy to see how far they still have to go to become one of the top four teams in the nation.
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There were plenty of positives for Michigan State to take away from the game. However, after a loss at home, there are always areas that need to be addressed, and head coach Tom Izzo will be the first to agree.
Here are three major areas the Spartans need to improve immediately.
1. Three-Point Shooting
This was the biggest difference between the two teams.
Three-point shooting was something the Spartans struggled with last season, too. They had games in which they showed they could knock down shots from beyond the arc, but the inconsistency was a recurring problem. Too often, their shots wouldn't fall early, leaving them in a massive hole to climb out of.
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The same could be said for Tuesday night. Michigan State finished a putrid 3-for-20 from three-point range. Jeremy Fears Jr. hit one three-pointer, while Jasiah Jervis knocked down two. Jervis also drew a foul on a three-point attempt and converted all three free throws.
Kur Teng and Coen Carr both went 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, while Carlos Medlock Jr. finished 0-for-4.
The Spartans cannot afford to be that inconsistent from deep if they want to achieve the goals they have set for themselves this season. Better shooting will be essential against elite competition, especially when their opponents can capitalize on every missed opportunity.
2. First-Half Scoring
The Spartans' performance against UConn followed a familiar pattern from last season.
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In some of their biggest games, Michigan State's offense has come out flat. Whether playing at home or on the road, the Spartans have struggled to find their rhythm early, digging themselves into holes that become increasingly difficult to escape.
Last season, Fears and company often found ways to fight back, climbing out of those deficits just enough to escape with a win or make the game competitive.
Tuesday's exhibition was no different. Michigan State scored just 22 points in the first half and was fortunate to trail by only eight at halftime. Still, the sluggish start was clearly hindering the team's overall performance.
The Spartans cannot afford to fall back into the same first-half rut that plagued them last season. Against top competition, slow starts can quickly become the difference between a competitive game and a long night.
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If Michigan State wants to live up to its preseason expectations, it needs to establish an offensive rhythm much earlier.
3. Anton Bonke
This isn't an area of the team that needs improvement. This is a personal callout.
Anton Bonke looked as slow and tired as a Snorlax trying to play basketball. It was difficult to watch, and Izzo ultimately limited him to just six minutes for the entire game.
Bonke struggled to get his hands up quickly enough on rebound attempts and passes coming his way. He also appeared to be running out of energy after only a couple of minutes on the floor.
Early in the first half, Bonke missed a defensive assignment and was quickly pulled from the game. He received another opportunity with about five minutes remaining in the half and responded with an impressive rebound and putback that offered a glimpse of what he could contribute.
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Unfortunately, that moment was quickly overshadowed by several sluggish plays. Bonke appeared to struggle just to set a screen and then missed the ball on a pick-and-roll pass attempt.
Izzo had seen enough and pulled him from the game. Bonke did not see a single minute of action in the second half.
He will need to show significant improvement in his energy, awareness and overall execution if he wants to earn a larger role in the rotation.
Overall
The Spartans played well enough to keep the game somewhat competitive, but they didn't have enough to get the job done. The overall sauce simply wasn't strong enough.
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There is still plenty of time for Michigan State to address these issues before the regular season begins. The three-point shooting needs to improve, the offense must get off to better starts, and Bonke needs to make the most of his opportunities.
The Spartans have the talent and coaching to compete with the best teams in the country, but Tuesday night showed there is still work to do.
As of the loss to UConn, Michigan State did not look like the No. 6 team in the nation. The good news is that this was an exhibition, and the Spartans still have time to make the necessary adjustments before the games start counting.
