Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s opening win over Monmouth

Michigan State’s Jaden Akins, right, moves the ball as Monmouth’s Madison Durr defends during the first half on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Michigan State basketball has already started their 2024-25 campaign better than last season. Last year, the Spartans dropped the opening night game against a scrappy James Madison team. This year, the Spartans were able to ward off a challenge from Monmouth to win 81 to 57 at home in the Breslin Center.

While the final score makes the game look like a blowout, Monmouth did put up a fight against MSU. They shot the ball better and went on a few runs, but good defense and strong interior scoring from Jaden Akins helped put this one away.

Below, we put down five reactions from the game along with some explanation for each.

The news of Jaden Akins’ demise was greatly exaggerated

Michigan State’s Jaden Akins, center, celebrates with Coen Carr, left, and Tre Holloman after getting fouled on a shot against Monmouth during the second half on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

There was some anxiety about Jaden Akins this summer and well into the preseason. MSU fans have been waiting for Akins to breakout as a star scorer for a few years now, and it wasn’t great to hear Izzo say that Akins didn’t shoot it well in their Spain trip this summer. That trend continued into the preseason. But on Monday night against Monmouth, Akins looked like MSU’s best offensive player by a wide margin. Akins finished with 23 points, mostly using his elite strength and athleticism to score at the rim and at the line. He also played very active on defense and had two steals and two blocks, along with nine rebounds, which is very impressive for a guard.

Shooting woes continue

Michigan State’s Frankie Fidler shoots against Monmouth during the first half on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

It’s a new year, with four new starters, but Michigan State’s shooting woes have carried over at least…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/five-takeaways-michigan-state-basketballs-103000010.html

Author : Spartans Wire

Publish date : 2024-11-05 10:30:00

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