I won’t lie, I’m disappointed. I think any fan of a team who started the season #4 and didn’t even make the Sweet 16 would be too. It was a very up and down season for the Spartans. The great thing about sports is that at the end of the day it is just sports.
This season was eventful from the start, losing to James Madison at the Breslin in game 1. This was obviously a wake up call for MSU as they immediately picked up their play. The Spartans were tested early in the season like always with matchups against Duke and Arizona, 2 teams that are in the Sweet 16 this weekend. Michigan State picked up their first big win of the season against Baylor at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Conference play was definitely tough on Michigan State but the Spartans found a way to get to .500 by the end of the year. Honestly, their record should have been much better. They gave away games against Ohio State, Minnesota, and at Illinois. Michigan State gave Purdue 2 of the closer games they have had all season as well.
I thought Tom Izzo could have been better this season. I thought his handling of lineups in specific was not up to par. Izzo seemed to mess up the flow of the game a lot by inserting players at weird times. For example, the Xavier Booker situation vs Ohio State. Izzo is getting older but he obviously still has the fire in him to keep coaching. Izzo’s comments after the UNC game lead me to believe Sparty might be active in the transfer portal. Izzo is known for not using the transfer portal very much, but when he does they are hits. Izzo’s last 2 transfer portal signings were Joey Hauser and Tyson Walker.
This was a memorable season for sure that had some great moments like Steven Izzo scoring his first college points, the blowout against Baylor, and the comeback vs Illinois at the Breslin. I now want to give a end of few awards out:
MVP: Tyson Walker
Underrated: Xavier Booker
Unsung Hero: Tre Holloman
Glue-guy: Malik Hall
Disappointing: Mady Sissoko
Obviously, I can’t give every player an award. Well, I could, but that would be dumb. Anyways, the team did not get the end result they wanted but it is about more than that. Sports are a process and a grind, one game doesn’t define a season or a player. Michigan State ended their season with these stats (current national rank):
Points/Game: 72.9 (164th)
Average score margin:+6.8 (40th)
Assists/game: 15.9 (28th)
Rebounds/game:34.7 (179th)
Defensive Stats:
Opp Pts/game: 66.1 (21st)
Opp Rebounds/ game: 33.6 (98th)
KENPOM Stats:
KENPOM: 15th
KENPOM AdjO: 49TH
KENPOM AdjD: 9th
It’s honestly hard to put into words how tough it is to lose in March Madness. It does not get any easier each year, man. With that being said, I know Tom Izzo will have the squad back in the big dance next year to make a run. Go Green!
Snyder's Spartan Takes 
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