Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball's 88-54 thumping of Washington

Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball’s 88-54 thumping of Washington

Posted by Admin January 10, 2025 Basketball

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1. The Alumni Izzone continues to clobber unsuspecting opponents

EAST LANSING – If men’s basketball had anything to do with conference realignment, Washington might lead the charge to put the Pac-12 back together after Thursday night.

In their first real Big Ten road game ever, the Huskies faced one of the most daunting atmospheres the Big Ten produces — Alumni Izzone night at Breslin Center. And Michigan State’s team fed off of it, with its most dominant and perhaps determined performance all season, clobbering the Huskies 88-54 in a game MSU led 16-1 midway through the first half, 42-13 at halftime and 82-41 with four minutes remaining. The Spartans’ first-half performance against North Carolina in Maui is the only thing that compares in terms of that look about them.

To Washington, I promise it won’t be like this everywhere every night, even if you and the rest of the Pac-4 who joined the league are in for an adjustment on the road. The Huskies’ only Big Ten road game before Thursday was at fellow former Pac-12 member UCLA. Pauley Pavilion is a mausoleum relative to the top venues in the Big Ten, never mind Breslin Center with aging but spirited alums surrounding the court.

MSU has won 10 straight now in front of the Alumni Izzone. The Spartans beat the tar out of Penn State on this night a year ago. They were 13-point favorites and won by 31. Thursday, they were 14-point favorites and won by 34. The Spartans have covered the point spread in nine of those 10 wins by an average of more than 10 points. Vegas might have to take this game off the board entirely next year.

For Tom Izzo, it must be some feeling — the success of his program, feeding the success of his team. If you’re looking for culture over decades, this was it. That old-fart student section made it hard for Washington to catch its breath or for MSU to let up. And this is an MSU team built to oblige.

“This honestly is my favorite night of the year other than senior night,” Izzo said, addressing the crowd immediately after the game. “Because you guys are the ones who started this thing.”

It’s one game that a lot of people who love the program gear up for. I’m not sure it could ever be completely replicated. But maybe try a couple more Alumni Izzone games, mixing in the current students, so they see how it can be done. Because it’s just different.

2. That look from Akins and Fears matched their performances

It was noticeable when MSU led 36-12 in the first half — Jaden Akins and Jeremy Fears Jr. had a look to them like it was a tie game.

Then, at 54-20, after an Akins steal and layup, he was slapping the floor on defense and Fears was barking at a teammate for a defensive mistake.

If you’re looking for reasons this MSU team might have the temperament to do big things this season, it was right there, from Akins and Fears Thursday night.

Akins’ and Fears’ performances backed up their focus and ferocity throughout. Akins finished with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Fears had 12 points, 10 assists and one turnover. Those two played like guys you can ride places during a season. They set the tone in every which way.

3. MSU’s small-ball lineup works when Kohler can handle the opposing big man

The most important long-term development for MSU on Thursday night might have been how Jaxon Kohler handled Washington big man Great Osobor, beginning with a stretch in the first half when Kohler was the only big man on the floor for MSU, playing alongside Coen Carr at power forward and guards Jaden Akins, Jeremy Fears Jr. and Jase Richardson. That might be MSU’s best lineup, but it only works if Kohler can handle whatever freight the opponent has down low.

Kohler was terrific Thursday against Osobor, walling up when MSU went to that lineup and blocking his shot. He stood firm at least four other times against Osobor, who finished 0-for-8 from the floor, with six points and four rebounds in 19 minutes. Kohler, playing in a variety of lineups, finished with seven rebounds, six points and a block in 17 minutes. His work against Osobor and positioning on the glass stood out. If Kohler’s near the rebound, he usually comes down with it. And that was a promising night from him defensively.

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on X @Graham_Couch or on BlueSky @GrahamCouch.