The Spartans will be in the bronze medal game on Wednesday
Playing their second games in as many nights, Michigan State and Memphis squared off in the second round of the Maui Invitational. The game started off as a back-and-forth battle with the two teams trading baskets. Seven minutes in, MSU claimed a 14-11 lead on a Jase Richardson triple, the Spartans’ third of the game. But the Tigers responded with a triple of their own to tie it, and then took the lead about a minute later on a dunk to go up 16-14. From there, Memphis stretched the lead to as much as nine, 32-23, before MSU trimmed the deficit down. At the break, Memphis led by a score of 34-31 as Richardson hit another triple right before the buzzer.
In the second half, MSU tied it early at 36 each, but the Tigers went on a run after that. By the time the game reached the under-12 timeout, the score was 51-42, and then it was 58-46 at the under-8. The Spartans got it back to a nine-point deficit at the final TV timeout, and even got as close as five in the final segment, but never were able to go on a real run to get all the way back in the game. In the end, MSU was fouling intentionally to try extending the game, but the Tigers made their free throws to ice the game. MSU dropped their second game this year, falling 71-63 to be relegated to the 3rd place game.
Let’s get to the lists.
3 Things I Liked:
1. Foul situation – MSU drew 11 fouls in the first half, including 3 on Dain Dainja and a flagrant 1. At the same time, MSU only committed six first half infractions, with only Szymon Zapala being called for a second. As a result, Memphis only took 3 FTs in the first half while MSU got 12 tries from the stripe. The second half was closer in the whistle department, with MSU fouling 10 times and Memphis committing 8 infractions. Only committing 16 fouls in a game and only allowing 14 free throws to your opponent is the disciplined play this team needs to continue.
I am going to add something here that I know is going to turn you all against me. I was following the game thread tonight, and even in the first half when we were in the double bonus and had only committed a handful of our own fouls, many of you were complaining about the refs. Come on, TOC. Don’t be crying for whistles all the time. It’s not a good look for us.
2. Making triples! The lid came off for MSU tonight, particularly in the first half when we were 5-11 from deep. It was amazing. After the break, the Spartans shot just 2-9 to finish 7-20 for the game, good for 35%. Richardson led the way with three makes, and Akins added two while Jaxon Kohler and Tre Holloman each sank one. This was our best performance from beyond the arc all season. Let’s hope this is a step in the right direction and tonight was not an aberration.
3. Jase Richardson. Do I need to elaborate? No, I don’t. But I will anyway. 11 points and 3 boards at the break. Hustles always. Always seems to make the right move or be in the right place. Draws fouls and gets to the line. Jase finished with a team-leading 18 points on 5-8 from the floor (3-5 from 3) and also 5-8 from the line. He also contributed three rebounds and two assists in his 25 minutes of court time. He is confident and assertive and making a case to start and play even more minutes.
3 Things I Disliked:
1. FT shooting. I know MSU was earning their trips to the line, but they were not taking advantage of it. In the first half, the Green & White only converted on six of their 12 attempts. The Spartans finished 12 of 19, just 63%. While the triple was finally going in for us, the FTs abandoned us.
2. The other stats. MSU had zero blocks, zero steals, and seven turnovers at halftime. In the final box score, there was one steal, two blocks, and thirteen turnovers. Need more stocks, especially with the size and athleticism on this team.
3. Front court scoring. Zero points in the first half from Kohler, Zapala, Cooper, and Booker. Only Booker had a FGA, with three, but two were from three-point land. In the second, Kohler began shooting, going 3-7 for 7 points. But Zapala and Cooper never took any shots, and Booker did not take any more after halftime. The lack of getting the big guys involved made our offense very one dimensional and reliant on the perimeter players. Considering the foul trouble that Memphis’ bigs were in, both eventually fouling out, it’s a shame that we did not go inside more.
That’s it. MSU will play in the 3rd place game at 9:30 PM EST tomorrow against the loser of the Auburn/UNC game. See you tomorrow.