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EAST LANSING — Tuesday’s loss to No. 1 Kansas continued to mystify Tom Izzo two days later.
Not because of Michigan State basketball’s abysmal shooting performance in Atlanta, or even the struggles from 3-point range through the first three games of the season. How much better the Spartans shot during Thursday’s practice left the Hall of Fame coach equally as baffled as Tuesday’s barrage of bricks against the Jayhawks.
“We made 11 (3-pointers) in a row today,” Izzo said, wincing and grimacing slightly, as he reflected moments after the workout wrapped up. “Now, that is frustrating.”
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 12: Jase Richardson #11 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after drawing a foul on a three-point basket against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half of the State Farm Champions Classic between the Kansas Jayhawks and Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Arena on November 12, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NATIONAL TEST: Michigan State basketball shows grit, potential amid glaring flaws in loss to No. 1 Kansas
Yet Izzo knows he and his players must move on from the 3-for-24 performance on 3s in a 77-69 loss to Kansas in the Champions Classic. The developing Spartans showed promising signs, even despite an unfavorable outcome, against one of the nation’s elite teams.
“When we got back, everybody was kind of really excited, because we still can build on that,” said freshman guard Jase Richardson, who had eight points and made his only 3-point attempt against the Jayhawks. “I mean, a seven-point loss to the No. 1 team in the country, and we still didn’t shoot it that great. There’s a lot to work on from that, but I feel like this team could be really special going down the line. …
“I just feel like in that game, we were getting open looks and play-making. I felt like our defense was actually really solid in that game. We got stops when we needed to. We cut down the lead a lot of times and just couldn’t…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-izzo-hoping-michigan-state-110514332.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2024-11-16 11:05:00
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