Another season of Michigan State basketball began this month. Once again, Tom Izzo will be the head coach for the Spartans.
The 2023-24 season has many high hopes and aspirations for this squad. One was in the ballpark of Big Ten champs and hopes to return to the Final Four.
But as the season tipped off for Michigan State, they saw themselves immediately on fraud watch as they had James Madison hand Tom Izzo his first November home loss as the Spartan head coach. No.4 Michigan State at the time would drop the opener of the season 79-76.
Now the Spartans are five games into the season with a tough test against Duke already out of the way. Following their big win over Alcorn St., let's look at what has been noteworthy.
Walker is an all-American kind of player.
It hasn't taken much for Tyson Walker to show he is already the same, if not a better player than fans saw in 2022. He is looking for his shot more often and can shoot the three consistently. The offense didn't look the same without him in the lineup for the beginning games. He was out against Alcorn St., but Walker gives you everything you want in a guard. He can defend, shoot, and run the offense as needed. Walker should be the guy with the ball in his hand down the stretch of games. Izzo is lucky to have plucked Walker out of the portal, one of the better finds any program would love to have.
How about Carson Cooper?
Talk about a gem hidden away. Tom Izzo has found himself quite the prospect in now Sophomore Carson Cooper. The center gives so much life to the five spot for the Spartans. We saw it in glimpses last season, but this young man finds a new surprise to please the Spartan fans every game. He is picking it up in the pick-and-roll game on both ends. He has been doing an excellent job of rolling to the basket. Then, on the defensive side, taking up so much space, ball screens have almost been ineffective against Cooper this season. I love what I have seen out of the center—just an overall energy boost.
Need A game from Hall & Akins.
Jaden Akins and Malik Hall are two players who are vets and returning significant minutes for the Spartans a year ago. Akins has had a lot of hype surrounding him because he is about as close to a complete player as MSU has. He can defend at a high level, has bounce, and can shoot the three. Akins currently leads the team in rebounds a game at 6.6 per contest.
On the other hand, Hall is in a bit tougher spot. He returned for his final season mainly due to his injuries over the past two years. We have seen a couple of versions of Malik Hall while at MSU. He gained a lot of respect in his first year and rode an up-and-down hill after that.
There was a time his Junior year where he looked like he was the man after great showings against Indiana and Illinois in the same week.
But since then, he hasn't been back to that level consistently. Hall had a reasonable effort against Duke, going for 18 points in the game. That type of play is what is needed from Hall this season. The one factor in his game that seems to have taken the hit the most is his jump shot. The release and image aren't as smooth as in recent years. Hall must make his share for a team that is low on three-point shooting.
Sissoko's role
Last season, Izzo rolled the dice and stuck to his guns with Mady Sissoko. Not knowing how Cooper and Kohler would pan out initially left a big question mark for MSU fans.
It seemed alright after a very impressive two games and efforts against Gonzaga and Kentucky. But in his senior year, Sissoko has failed to show that same level of play. It appears that effort is where Sissoko gets most of his shine, as that has taken him to show growth.
After four years in the program, however, I think fans were anticipating a little more. Izzo's offense has always been better with offense at the five-position. Sissoko just hasn't been able to develop a lot down low.
If the only threat is a lob or an offensive rebound, it's hard for the offense to flow with how many screens Izzo teams set.
Don't get it wrong, Sissoko has taken steps as a player, but what fans and others may have expected by now isn't quite the reality.
Shooting struggles
In today's age of college basketball, two significant factors exist for who wins when it counts. That can defend and shoot at very high clips. There is considerable concern for this MSU squad if they can do both effectively this season.
With the loss of Joey Hauser, this offense is feeling it. There is not a consistent third three-point threat outside of Walker and Akins.
Booker has shown he can make a couple, which will make a big difference.
It is not just three-point shooting that needs to step up. The free throw line has once again become an enemy as the team is shooting under 70% through five games.
Closing
This Michigan State team will come together as all Izzo teams do. The reality hit is that you can do and say so much on paper before entering the season.
Yes, it is great to have a lot of scoring and minutes back from last year with a top class. But it means nothing if they aren't used properly or minutes aren't split as everyone would like.
This Michigan State team will be more than exciting, with Coen Carr flying around the Breslin Center.