Michigan State lost a game at Ohio State by 80 to 69 on Thursday night. This is the Spartans’ ninth consecutive loss. Despite the Buckeyes playing well against his team, Tom IzzoI was not impressed by the Value City Arena’s fan atmosphere.
The Buckeyes (19-9, 12-7) announced an attendance of 14,051 people, roughly 78% of the arena’s 19,049-person capacity. Izzo was asked whether he felt hungry by the Buckeyes. He quickly replied that he did.
“We’ve been there,” Izzo said. “I thought they did a great job. I have one complaint about this place: Their fans disappointed me. I thought the way his team has played and how hard they play, this place should be rocking and packed.”
The Spartans (19-11 and 10-9) could not legitimately threaten Ohio State down that stretch. They were trailing by double figures for the entire second half. They increased the margin to 10, twice, and were stopped at every turn.
Ohio State faced little resistance against MSU’s defense, shooting 54.7% on the night, and it was the starters who did the heavy lifting, with just three points coming from the bench. Freshman wing Malaki BranhamLiddell was the high scorer, scoring 22 points. Liddell had 19 and eight rebounds. Jamari Wheeler16. Brunk, who hadn’t attempted more than three shots in a game all year, made seven of his 10 attempts and grabbed six rebounds.
MSU shot a respectable 45.3% overall, and 50% from 3-point territory, but never led at any time and was trailed by as much as 15. Senior center Gabe Brown scored 13 points, while senior wing Gabe Brown scored 13. Marcus Bingham Jr.The Spartans had just two double-digit scorers in the second quarter, with only 11 points and five rebounds.
Michigan State had to dig its own hole early as Ohio State began the game with a 13-0 run.
“Anger,” Izzo said when asked about his immediate thoughts about the game. “I’m angry with the way we played. “And don’t anybody write that it was about the two days on the road and all that. If we would’ve lost down the stretch and been fatigued, I could swallow that. This was the start. We were defeated at the start, not at the end. So, yeah, I’m not real happy with how we played defensively. I’m not happy with our leadership right now. We gotta find a way to regroup, and that’s what we’re gonna do.”
Michigan State will close its season Sunday afternoon against Maryland (15-15-127), who enters the game having won four of its previous five games.
Stephen Brooks from SpartanTailgate contributed to this article.
