Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State's 70-63 home loss to Northwestern

1. Loss to Northwestern illustrates the Spartans’ problem right now — they’re not better than Northwestern

EAST LANSING – Michigan State had better hope Northwestern is this gritty and poised and capable for the rest of the season. Or Sunday’s 70-63 home loss is going to become one of those defeats that keeps on biting — in the Big Ten race, with NCAA tournament seeding, just getting to the NCAA tournament.

Tom Izzo told Malik Hall this week that he didn’t fully appreciate him as a player until he wasn’t able to play.

Michigan State is lucky it only has one more Big Ten game before Hall is expected back sometime after Christmas. Because the Spartans (at 5-4 and 0-1 in the Big Ten) are just hanging on right now. They need everybody. But they especially need Hall — for his versatility and punch on both ends of the court and his basketball acumen. And if they’re noticeably better with him, they’ll be able to point that out to the NCAA tournament committee, which might give the Spartans a pass for this one. There are no mulligans in the Big Ten standings, though. Maybe Northwestern will do this to some other teams. Maybe.

You could feel it Sunday in the first half — even when MSU led by four to seven points — that Northwestern was comfortable, in the fight, not worried about the game getting way from them. Maybe the Wildcats (6-2) will wind up being a good team. They played with a defensive purpose I haven't seen from them in recent memory. They certainly have what looks like a quality backcourt in Boo Buie, Chase Audige and Ty Berry, who combined for 46 points, 20 of them from Buie. If the Spartans never see Buie again after these last four years, they’ll be cool with that. That's a seasoned trio that, Sunday at least, played liked they'd been kicked around by MSU a few times and were out to return the favor.

AJ Hoggard gave MSU a chance Sunday, looking down the stretch like the player we’ve seen on occasion this season. He didn't start. Izzo wanted Akins to play immediately after warming up and Izzo wanted to send a message to his point guard. Hoggard responded, especially in the late stages, finishing with 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds. He was a force driving downhill, creating. It wasn’t enough.

MSU was hurt by Tyson Walker’s foul trouble and never had any of its shooters heat up, other than hitting a 3 here or there. Mady Sissoko played his best game in a while, with 12 points and five rebounds, though he wasn't a presence on the boards. The game was relatively even on the glass and with turnovers. The Wildcats’ backcourt was just a little more potent offensively.

Mostly, pound for pound, the Spartans weren’t (and right now aren’t) any better than Northwestern. And the Wildcats knew it from the jump.

2. Jaden Akins’ return changes MSU

So much for easing back in. Jaden Akins started and played 23 minutes Sunday night. He changes MSU athletically and, right now, the upgrade is defensively.

Akins hit a 3-pointer for the game’s first score, but that was his only bucket. Offensively, you could tell MSU was re-learning itself with Akins on the court and he and his teammates spent a lot of time in conversation talking out what the other was thinking or expecting. Akins has only been out two weeks, but that’s four games and, in terms of time lapsed, more than half the season at this point. Plus, he missed nine weeks leading into the season with his foot injury. So his teammates have played a lot of ball without him.

He did have moments on the offensive end where you can see some of what he brings — including a dart of a pass from one corner to the other to Pierre Brooks for a 3-pointer and a 23-20 MSU lead. And, right before halftime, he drove and drew the defense’s attention, before dishing to Carson Cooper for a bucket and a foul. That was not only an important score for MSU — bringing the Spartans to within one (38-37) — but also for Cooper, who had fumbled the ball out of bounds the last time he had it.

Defensively, though, is where Akins made his hay in his return, with two steals and a block and chasing around Northwestern shooter Ty Berry. His best moments were early. He wore down a bit. His conditioning isn't there yet. Nor is the cohesion he had with his backcourt mates a couple weeks ago.

Before Akins tweaked his foot against Villanova, he, Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard were becoming a nice trio on both ends. Pierre Brooks has carved out a larger role in Akins’ absence. When Malik Hall gets back, the rotation will go through another refitting. Until then, however, MSU offensively needs to get comfortable with Akins — and for Akins to get comfortable — quickly. As in by Wednesday’s game at Penn State.

This team should still be fine — as Akins works his way back, when Hall returns, and as long as that's it for significant injuries. But the group that took the floor Sunday, with Akins just feeling his way again, that team would struggle to make the NCAA tournament.

3. Freshman thoughts – the Northwestern edition

Jaxon Kohler is increasingly becoming the most impactful of MSU’s three freshmen each night. He played the most minutes again Sunday. Had a couple good moments — an offensive rebound and put-back and a bucket inside when MSU badly needed it early in the second half. He had two offensive rebounds, the other, though, stripped from him before he could do anything with it. Kohler has work to do on the glass. He’s not the longest fella and he often winds up coming up just short among the trees. He’ll get better with his body as a rebounder over time. But right now, there are rebounds you think he might get that he doesn’t come up with.

Carson Cooper played only three minutes Sunday, but it was eventful — four points, two fouls, one turnover. He fumbled one would-be dunk out of bounds. But shortly there after, caught a pass among defenders and scored while being fouled. He’s a bit role player. That’s what he should be right now. But these are consequential minutes for him.

Tre Holloman played 10 minutes without recording a stat Sunday. Some of that is good — he doesn’t take ill-advised shots. But he’s had games where you could feel his presence. This definitely wasn’t one of those.

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Graham_Couch.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State basketball falls at home to Northwestern: 3 quick takes