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Michigan State Basketball: Comparing the 2018-19 Spartans to last year’s squad

By Ryan Kay

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Head Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans shouts instructions to his team in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Head Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans shouts instructions to his team in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Last year’s NCAA Tournament run leading up to Syracuse

The Michigan State team ended up comfortably beating Bucknell in their opening round even though the score would make you think otherwise. Next opponent up in front of the hometown friendly crowd was Syracuse in the 2nd Round. An early scouting report on how to beat Michigan State was seen when #1 went up against #2 at the Champions Classic in Chicago on November 14th of last season, as Michigan State struggled mightily with Duke’s 2–3 zone.

Even in the loss, fool’s gold was witnessed with Bridges, Jackson Jr., and Ward each scoring 19 points for the MSU who shot 50% from the field in the game. Michigan State shot well that night, but it exposed the scheme that MSU would use against a 2-3 zone. In other words, if MSU didn’t shoot well from the outside, a 2-3 could easily defeat the Spartans. Fast forward to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament. Tom Izzo is nicknamed is Mr. March for his impressive NCAA Tournament record.

Many fans who had never blamed Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo for the Spartans losing a tournament game were not expecting what was going to happen against Syracuse. However, when Michigan State took the court against Syracuse on that now infamous day March 18th, Izzo was starring at another Hall of Fame coach in Jim Boeheim and his nickname is Mr. 2-3 Zone.

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