1. Two 6-minute scoring droughts sunk us. Outscored 25-0 in that 12-minutes of play. These “death droughts” (as I’ve come to call them) will happen in every game because we are so challenged on offense, making our margin for error more razor thin than ever.
2. Damn shame too, as, up until 36-35, our defense was playing lights out.
3. Izzo made a couple of tweaks on offense in the 2nd half. First he started going to Malik Hall, as both Cliff and Hyatt had 3 fouls. Hall scored on two consecutive possessions. Then Izzo went to a fast weave, and it really confused our defense and got MSU wide open looks (which they made).
4. But our ineptitude on offense contributed to the defensive woes, as MSU was able to get out in transition, get easy buckets, but also make the game seem like an avalanche. Rutgers wilted in that 19-0 stretch.
5. Hyatt and Mag had nice games, but our four guards plus Gavin were awful, going a combined 7-25 from the field. Simpson played a decent floor game, Austin was just sort of meh, but Noah was awful, and JMike played out of control during much of his minutes. Freshman growing pains there.
6. Cliff is a black hole on offense. Certainly not helped by foul trouble and the nut shot, but he had just 4 points on 2-5, and his three misses were 8 foot jump hooks in the paint that were all good looks. None were close.
7. Oskar gave good minutes in the first half, but the 19-0 run began when he, Noah and JMike checked into the game. And he still can’t hit threes (which is supposed to be his strength).
8. I don’t understand why Gavin wasn’t in the game for the last 4 or 5 minutes of a blowout loss. Did Pike really think we could get back in the game?? The kid needs time on the court, and garbage time is when you do it.
9. What can you say? This team is SEVERELY challenged on offense. Despite the win over Indiana, that has not changed. And there’s only so much defense a team can play without getting help from the offense. We continue to be a contender for a bottom 4 finish in the B1G.
2. Damn shame too, as, up until 36-35, our defense was playing lights out.
3. Izzo made a couple of tweaks on offense in the 2nd half. First he started going to Malik Hall, as both Cliff and Hyatt had 3 fouls. Hall scored on two consecutive possessions. Then Izzo went to a fast weave, and it really confused our defense and got MSU wide open looks (which they made).
4. But our ineptitude on offense contributed to the defensive woes, as MSU was able to get out in transition, get easy buckets, but also make the game seem like an avalanche. Rutgers wilted in that 19-0 stretch.
5. Hyatt and Mag had nice games, but our four guards plus Gavin were awful, going a combined 7-25 from the field. Simpson played a decent floor game, Austin was just sort of meh, but Noah was awful, and JMike played out of control during much of his minutes. Freshman growing pains there.
6. Cliff is a black hole on offense. Certainly not helped by foul trouble and the nut shot, but he had just 4 points on 2-5, and his three misses were 8 foot jump hooks in the paint that were all good looks. None were close.
7. Oskar gave good minutes in the first half, but the 19-0 run began when he, Noah and JMike checked into the game. And he still can’t hit threes (which is supposed to be his strength).
8. I don’t understand why Gavin wasn’t in the game for the last 4 or 5 minutes of a blowout loss. Did Pike really think we could get back in the game?? The kid needs time on the court, and garbage time is when you do it.
9. What can you say? This team is SEVERELY challenged on offense. Despite the win over Indiana, that has not changed. And there’s only so much defense a team can play without getting help from the offense. We continue to be a contender for a bottom 4 finish in the B1G.
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