Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State’s 92-87 loss to Kansas in the Champions Classic Lansing State Journal
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch gives his initial thoughts on MSU’s performance against Kansas on Tuesday night in the Champions Classic.
Turnovers the difference in Kansas loss Spartan Avenue
Like exhibition play, Tom Izzo learns a ton about his team early on in games like Tuesday night’s Champions Classic matchup against No. 1 Kansas. Unfortunately, the Spartans didn’t have enough gas to complete an improbable comeback in the second half, falling to Kansas for the first time in the event, 92-87. There’s a lot to like about this team, but plenty to work on.
Michigan State comeback falls short to Kansas, 92-87 Detroit Free Press
Michigan State would not go away. Not when Kansas built a 17-point lead in the first half. Not when the Jayhawks kept fending off all of their advances during Tuesday’s Champions Classic. And not when they were down 12 with a little less than 4 minutes to play. But Tom Izzo’s team couldn’t complete the comeback in its season-opening game.
Michigan State storms back, falls short vs. No. 1 Kansas Detroit News
Michigan State has seen its share of No. 1 teams in the Champions Classic and Kansas certainly measured up. And by the end of the game, the Spartans had to be feeling like they weren’t far behind. After a rough first half, Michigan State stormed back in the second half but fell just short as No. 1 Kansas came away with the 92-87 victory at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday.
MSU edged by No. 1 Kansas in season-opener Spartan Tailgate
When No. 10 Michigan State needed key baskets down the stretch, who delivered them? Kenny Goins and Kyle Ahrens, of course. That wasn’t in the script. But neither was much of what transpired for the Spartans Tuesday night against No. 1 Kansas at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Spartans Rally Against Top-Ranked Kansas Comes Up Short Michigan State Official Athletic Site
Michigan State was led by Joshua Langford with 18 points and Kenny Goins with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The game pitted two power-conference preseason favorites against each other, and the finish was every bit as intriguing as expected.
Free throw woes, turnovers kill Michigan State in Champions Classic loss to Kansas The Only Colors
Michigan State got an early wakeup call in its 92-87 season-opening loss to Kansas in the State Farm Champions Classic. “Give Kansas credit. They played better than us,” head coach Tom Izzo said after the loss. “We just didn’t play good enough to beat a good team and they’re a good team.”
Michigan State shows toughness in ‘grinding’ back against No. 1 Kansas Detroit Free Press
For 30 minutes, Michigan State basketball teetered on the verge of being blown out by Kansas. Every time the Spartans appeared to get close, the Jayhawks would exert their depth and flex their power to push comfortably ahead. But a curious thing about these Spartans emerged: They wouldn’t go away.
Kenny Goins provides glue that helps MSU stick with Kansas Detroit News
Kenny Goins wasn’t exactly the top priority on Kansas’ scouting report coming into Tuesday’s matchup in the Champions Classic between top-ranked Kansas and No. 10 Michigan State. By the time the game was over, however, the Jayhawks knew all about the fifth-year senior. Kansas won the game, 92-87, holding off a furious Michigan State rally, but it was the play of Goins that kept the Spartans in the game as he finished with a career-high 17 points with three 3-pointers and 11 rebounds.
‘We didn’t bring it’: Michigan State undone by poor first half vs. Kansas MLive.com
After seven months of waiting, Michigan State stepped onto college basketball’s biggest regular-season stage to play the No. 1 team in the country on Tuesday night. When they did, just about everything that could go wrong did. Michigan State’s season started with a thud: 34 percent shooting, 11 missed free throws, eight turnovers in the first 20 minutes to lead to a 14-point halftime deficit. “The first half we didn’t bring it,” Spartans point guard Cassius Winston said.