5 Observations: No. 4 Michigan State falls to No. 9 Tennessee in thrilling exhibition
Buckle up, Spartan fans. This season is going to be a fun ride.
Although No. 4 Michigan State fell to No. 9 Tennessee, 89-88, in an absolute thriller of an exhibition game (in controversial fashion after a suspect late foul), it wouldn't be a surprise to see both of these teams make a run in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. That's still a long way off, and there are things that both these squads will need to clean a lot of things up, but there's little doubt these are two of the most talented teams in the country.
Tennessee got out to a 15-1 edge in the early-goings, and held a lead as large as 18 in the first half. However, Michigan State refused to go away, clawing back multiple times and nearly stealing this one. Point guard A.J. Hoggard hit an game-tying 3-pointer with less than five seconds remaining after the Spartans got a timely steal in the backcourt, but a foul on Tre Holloman sent the Volunteers to the free throw line with 1.9 remaining on the clock. U-T's Jordan Gainey hit one of two attempts to give Tennessee the win.
Here are five observations from an exciting one at the Breslin Center...
1.) Tennessee's size, length trouble MSU early
Michigan State was all sorts of discombobulated early in this one, as the Spartans had six turnovers in the opening four-plus minutes alone and only one point on the scoreboard. Tennessee's size and length, particularly in the backcourt, seemed to give MSU guards problems. The Spartans had a hard time getting into their offensive sets.
That was reflected in Michigan State's early shooting percentage as well. Through the first 12 minutes, MSU was shooting just 5-for-14 (35.7%) from the field.
The Spartans did seem to settle in and adjust to the Volunteers' size and length as the game went on, and showed a lot of grit clawing their way back from an early 18-point deficit and making this scrimmage very competitive. Michigan State shot well from the free throw line as well, going 26-for-36 from the charity stripe.
2.) Full court pressure was effective
As can be expected, play was pretty sloppy both ways early in this one. While Michigan State's offense struggled in the half court, the Spartans gave the Volunteers a lot of problems with their full-court man-to-man pressure in the backcourt. MSU forced Tennessee into seven turnovers in the first nine minutes, and several of those were due to the full-court pressure.
Michigan State's backcourt is deep and talented, and I love the idea of Izzo playing into that and pressuring teams full court for the majority of games. Even when the Spartans don't force turnovers in the backcourt, it cuts into opposing teams' shot clock and disrupts offensive sets. Tennessee finished with 20 turnovers in total.
3.) I like the idea of starting Carson Cooper, but...
...his free throw shooting is a problem. After going just 1-for-4 from the charity stripe against Hillsdale, Cooper was 3-for-5 today against Tennessee. Meanwhile, current starter Mady Sissoko went 5-for-5 from the line against Hillsdale, and was 3-for-4 today. If you're looking for a reason why Sissoko is starting over Cooper, I'd start there.
Still, I think Cooper is the better defender of the two, and there's no question he's more comfortable on the offensive end, despite modest numbers today against the Volunteers with just five points. Sissoko had a lot of problems early on in this one, with half of Michigan State's six early turnovers belonging to him. For the game, Sissoko had four turnovers, while Cooper had two.
I just think there's more upside with Cooper, and I think Michigan State is better with him on the floor. With that said, the sophomore's inferior free throw shooting to Sissoko may keep the senior in the starting lineup for now.
4.) Tyson Walker is this team's best two-way player
This shouldn't come as a surprise, but Tyson Walker is the most important player on this basketball team. The graduate senior is the Spartans' best shooter, and despite his small frame he's an excellent on-ball defender. With Michigan State down 16 midway through the first half, it was Walker who started the Spartans' rally with five quick points on a pair of jumpers and a steal on the defensive end.
Walker's energy seemed to spark his teammates, and MSU quickly cut the deficit to seven with five minutes left in the half, and the Spartans had a full steam of momentum from there. Even after Tennessee pushed the lead back to 11, Michigan State kept punching back, closing to within 39-37 before taking a three-point deficit into halftime (40-37). The Spartans trailed by as many as 18 in the first half.
Walker wasn't even at his best today — he shot just 8-for-19 from the floor — but he still finished with 22 points. The senior is the most consistent offensive threat the Spartans have. Walker was 4-for-8 from three today, and someone opposing teams have to be aware of at all times.
5.) Coen Carr is an ignition switch
My preseason thoughts on Coen Carr, that he would be Michigan State's most impactful freshman this season, have only been reinforced by what I've seen out of him in these first two scrimmages.
It's more than just the flashy dunks with Carr, although those do have a natural buoying effect on his teammates. The freshman still makes some mistakes defensively, but his athleticism makes him capable of making an impact on that end of the floor as well. Carr was a team-high plus-22 today against Tennessee (the Spartans outscored the Volunteers by 22 points with him on the floor). He finished with nine points, four rebounds, a block and a steal. He did have two turnovers, and there are things to clean up, but the energy he brings is hard to quantify.
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