Jaden Akins ties career high as Michigan State basketball rolls Monmouth, 81-57, in opener

EAST LANSING – Monmouth wasn’t James Madison. Far from it.

Then again, Michigan State basketball didn’t look like the same team from last year’s season-opening loss. Or even the one from two exhibition games.

The Spartans smothered the Hawks defensively from the outset, jumping out to a 17-2 lead in the first seven-plus minutes and getting tested afterward before pulling away to an 81-57 victory Monday night at Breslin Center.

Michigan State’s Coen Carr dunks against Monmouth during the second half on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

Jaden Akins scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half for the Spartans, who host Niagara on Thursday (8 p.m./Big Ten Network). The senior went 8-for-12 from the floor and added nine rebounds and five assists.

Yet questions lingered as Tom Izzo’s 30th season began. Including continued deep-shooting struggles and a surprising rebounding deficiency against the smaller-yet-gritty Hawks.

Akins finished just 1-for-4 from 3-point range. Xavier Booker went just 2-for-10 and missed all four of his 3-point tries, finishing with four points and two rebounds. MSU’s outside shooting trouble in two exhibition games and a summer trip to Spain persisted, with the Spartans going just 3-for-18 from deep.

Jase Richardson added 10 points in his MSU debut, while transfer center Szymon Zapala added nine points and eight rebounds.

BIG-PICTURE LOOK: Michigan State basketball: Spartans have the pieces, but can Tom Izzo fit them together?

MSU finished with a 48-31 rebounding edge, though the Spartans extended that gap in the final 10 minutes. The Hawks had 11 of their boards on the offensive glass, another concern for Izzo with much bigger opponents ahead. Abdi Bashir Jr. had 20 points while Justin Ray and Madison Durr each added 12 for Monmouth, which finished shooting 27.9% overall and just 8-for-27 from 3-point range.

Closer than expected early

Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo yells at a referee after a no call on Jaxon Kohler…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jaden-akins-ties-career-high-021610563.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2024-11-05 02:16:00

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