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Big Ten Basketball: Biggest winners and losers from Week 1 of 2023-24 season

By Jerran Anderson

Michigan Wolverines guard Dug McDaniel (0) drives to the basket during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Rutgers Scarlet Knights won 62-50.Ruum030923 Am9069
Michigan Wolverines guard Dug McDaniel (0) drives to the basket during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Rutgers Scarlet Knights won 62-50.Ruum030923 Am9069 /
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Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo watches as James Madison warms up before the game on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Lansing.
Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo watches as James Madison warms up before the game on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Lansing. /

Losers: Michigan State Spartans

Things weren’t easy for the Michigan State Spartans on opening night as things went down to the wire against James Madison Dukes in the Breslin Events Center. The Spartans fell to James Madison 79-76 in overtime in a game that saw them trail as many as 18 points at one point in the first half.

Tyson Walker showed he’s got a Warrior’s spirit, finishing with 35 points, five rebounds and six steals, but the Spartans ran out of gas and opportunities to win in the end as the Dukes stole one from them on their home floor.

Freshman Coen Carr still had a solid debut, finishing with 14 points and six rebounds off the bench but Malik Hall, Jaden Akins and AJ Hoggard struggled. The trio shot a combined 6-for-33 (18.2 percent) from the field.

They did manage to bounce back in their victory over Southern Indiana on Thursday night as they won going away 74-51. They led 37-14 at halftime. The offense was a lot more spread out in the victory as Walker cooled off with 14 points, Akins finished with 13 points and Hall put up 12 points. Freshman Coen Carr had just three points across 17 minutes.

Clearly, there are still some kinks to work out with Coach Izzo’s talented group. Look for the Spartans to bounce back in Week 2, though their ranking could take a big hit.

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