We’ve seen this a few times this season - Cooper at power forward alongside Sissoko or even Kohler. And I think that’s what we’re seeing.īoth guys saw spells early, Kohler first, per usual, and then Cooper checking in with starter Mady Sissoko to counter Michigan’s two-bigs lineup with Hunter Dickinson and Tarris Reed. Now that they’re there, there’s an argument that their roles should continue to increase. These two had to get to a place where they weren’t lost and overwhelmed defensively and where the game slowed down for them on the offensive end. It’s the feel for the game, especially with Kohler, that stands out and permeates through the other guys on the floor. That was the case again Saturday night, with two of them combining for 17 minutes (eight for Kohler, nine for Cooper,) during which the Spartans were six points better than the Wolverines. Three months later, increasingly, MSU’s best chance to be its best self offensively is with Kohler or Cooper on the floor. It really wasn’t that long ago that MSU could barely withstand the minutes played by freshman big men Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper. Freshman thoughts - the Michigan edition, Part II 18, 2023, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. Michigan State's Tyson Walker, left, celebrates after a Michigan turnover during the first half on Saturday, Feb. That’s a big step for Hall and a significant development for this team, even in defeat. He also had an important early assist, passing out of the paint to Joey Hauser for a 3-pointer that quelled a quick start by the Wolverines.Įven his misses - a late drive against Hunter Dickinson that was blocked out of bounds - had a look of a guy who wanted the ball and could make a play. He went up and got an alley-oop dunk, made two 3s - one just after seeing one roll off the rim - and created a couple buckets off the dribble. An entirely different player offensively than he’s been, especially since he returned a second time from the injury six games ago. He was smooth at times Saturday night against Michigan, hitting 6-of-11 shots for 14 points. I’d almost forgotten the player Hall can be. Not even when he played fairly well in the first meeting with Michigan. We hadn’t seen this Malik Hall since he first suffered a foot injury in November. Tom Izzo made a point of bringing up noticeable improvements in Malik Hall’s game after last Sunday’s win at Ohio State. That’s the best we’ve seen Malik Hall since his injury MORE: Michigan State was too good in loss at Michigan to take a mulligan 2. I asked for 40 minutes of focus and got 38. A win would've helped more, because it was right there,” Izzo said, lamenting small mistakes at key times. ". They just couldn’t keep Michigan off the glass. Malik Hall had his best game in some time (see below). Not ideal.Īkins played great at times - from his coast-to-coast thundering dunk, to his three assists and his work saving MSU several times on the glass. Guard Jaden Akins led MSU with five rebounds. None of MSU’s three centers, nor its small-ball lineup, had an answer there. The Spartans lost because Michigan hit nine 3s - a few from guys who don’t always hit them - and because they couldn’t keep the Wolverines off the offensive glass, giving up 14 offensive rebounds. They led as late as 65-63 and were tied at 72 apiece before the Wolverines closing run, some of which was done with free throws. The Spartans had an eight-point lead with the ball at one point in the first half, playing as connected offensively as I’ve seen them play all season. The Michigan pep band, which sounded so familiar at the end of the game, played MSU Shadows before tipoff, while the Michigan student second held a banner that read “Spartan Strong.”įor a long while Saturday, MSU’s basketball team looked the part. For the Spartans, it was a tough ending to an emotional week and night, which started with a moment of silence for the victims of Monday’s shooting on MSU’s campus.
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