In a surprising turn of events, the number 4 ranked Michigan State Boys basketball team suffered a difficult loss in the first game of the season against James Madison. This game was expected to be an easy win for the Spartans by fans and commentators alike, but left MSU fans shocked and upset with their team’s performance. 

The biggest struggle in this game was the efficiency of the returning veteran starters, A.J. Hoggard, Jaden Akins, and Malik Hall. Together, the veterans shot 6 for 33. These are players that fans look for to control the tempo of the game. These shooting issues go past just our starters. As a team, they shot 1 for 20 on three-pointers and 23 for 37 from the free-throw line. 

A highlight for the Spartans was the Senior guard Tyson Walker. He had a staggering 35 points and helped to keep morale high throughout the game. Another beacon of hope for the Spartans was Freshman forward Coen Carr. 

In a press conference after the game, Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said, “Coen Car played hard, with enthusiasm, with passion. Like a freshman should.” Coen Carr shot 5 for 6 and put up a respectable 14 points. 

“They outplayed us. They played harder than us. They played smarter than us,” Izzo admitted. It was evident that Izzo was not one to make excuses, as he acknowledged the team’s deficiencies on the court. 

Looking forward to the upcoming season, Michigan State plays their next game back at the Breslin Center against Southern Indiana. As long as they play with better shot efficiency and focus on limiting turnovers, MSU should have no problem taking this win.