Five takeaways from MSU basketball’s final exhibition

Michigan State’s Tre Holloman, left, steals the ball form Ferris State’s Tyler Hamilton during the first half on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in East Lansing.

Michigan State basketball wrapped up their final exhibition of the offseason, defeating Ferris State 85-67 inside of the Breslin Center on Tuesday night. This offseason, MSU fans have gotten a huge dose of Spartan basketball, seeing the team go to Spain for three games, as well as take on Northern Michigan and Ferris State.

After getting past the Bulldogs, the Spartans will now gear up to open the regular season next Monday against Monmouth inside of the Breslin Center.

Before we kick off the regular season, let’s see what we can takeaway from the Spartans final exhibition affair:

1. Tom Izzo’s lineups

Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo argues a call with a referee during the first half against Ferris State on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in East Lansing.

We are going to start with a negative here, but it is probably the most concerning area coming out of the offseason.

Tom Izzo refuses to abandon the two big lineups. A 19-point MSU lead was cut to six solely because of the two big lineup being on the court. If Izzo continues to force feed the two big lineup, it is going to be another season of headaches.

2. Jaden Akins struggles

Michigan State’s Jaden Akins, left, moves the ball as Ferris State’s Ethan Erickson closes in during the first half on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in East Lansing.

There hasn’t really been an exhibition this offseason where Akins has looked like the leading scorer he needs to be. While there is no need for the hot takes of “bench him” and he is a senior that deserves to work through the funk during November and December, but there needs to be a different version of the senior for MSU to reach their ceiling.

If Akins doesn’t get to form by mid-December, then conversations will need to be had, which leads me to the next takeaway …

3. Jase Richardson deserves serious consideration for minutes

Michigan State’s Jase…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/five-takeaways-msu-basketballs-final-174335871.html

Author : Spartans Wire

Publish date : 2024-10-30 17:43:00

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