Myron MedcalfESPN Staff Writer November 7, 2023, 12:05am ET4 minutes read
After No. 4 Michigan State’s 79-76 loss to James Madison on Monday in East Lansing, coach Tom Izzo said he may make changes that could impact his team’s starting lineup.
At the start of overtime, James Madison was a plus-16.5-point underdog, according to ESPN BET.
But Michigan State recorded a 1:20 clip from the 3-point line and a 23:37 clip from the free throw line. While Tyson Walker scored 35 points on 12-for-26 shooting (0-for-5 from the 3-point line), the rest of the squad made just 14 of 46 attempts from the field.
AJ Hoggard, Malik Hall, Mady Sissoko and Jaden Akins — Michigan State’s other four starters, all upperclassmen — finished 8-for-36 overall.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Michigan State is the first Associated Press top-five team to lose its season opener at home to an unranked opponent since Kentucky’s home loss to Western Kentucky in 2001. Additionally, Izzo entered Monday’s game at 21-7, a record in season openers, according to Michigan State.
“I don’t have a good answer as to why three juniors and seniors played the way they did, but I don’t care because then I’ll be playing against a bunch of freshmen,” said Izzo, a top player this season. 10 recruiting class welcomed to ESPN rankings. “Let the controversy begin.”
The holidays could also be a bit unpleasant for Izzo after this defeat. His nephew, Matt Bucklin, is an assistant at James Madison, a Sun Belt program that won its second game ever against a ranked opponent after losing 42 of its previous 43 meetings, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Bucklin’s mother, Mary, is Izzo’s sister. Izzo booked James Madison at the start of the season in part because of his nephew’s role on the team.
Michigan State hadn’t lost a home game in November since David Robinson – the Basketball Hall of Famer who played for the San Antonio Spurs – led Navy to a 91-90 overtime victory over the Spartans in 1986. The program hadn’t lost a season opener in East Lansing since 1970.
Izzo said he has his team shoot free throws the night before every game. On Sunday night, the Spartans made 90% of their attempts from the charity stripe, he said. But just 24 hours later, the team only hit 62% of their attempts.
“I give [James Madison] “A lot of recognition,” Izzo said. “They came here and played harder than us.” They played harder than us. Made some good plays. We got into foul trouble early on. That hurt us. We missed all those free throws early. That hurt us. They go 1 for 20 from the [3-point line]. How do you get 23 of 37 from the free throw line?
Terrence Edwards Jr. led James Madison with 24 points.
TJ Bickerstaff (21 points) scored a game-winning shot with 30 seconds left in regulation time. In overtime, Raekwon Horton hit a three-pointer to extend James Madison’s lead to 78-74 with 10 seconds to play. Michael Green III’s steal from Walker at the buzzer sealed the win for the Dukes.
James Madison head coach Mark Byington said his team, which made 75% of its free throw attempts, was resilient throughout the game.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Byington said after the win on the Big Ten Network. “It was our first game and we are playing against one of the best teams in the country, in one of the best environments in the country. And I was proud of our boys. … They just never gave up.”
Two of James Madison’s starters, Noah Freidel and Julien Wooden, were fouled late, but the Dukes turned to their bench to secure the win.
“Some of our more reliable and trustworthy people have gotten into serious trouble,” Byington said. “Everyone was able to step up when they came in. They were able to make plays.”
Before the season, Izzo said the Big Ten deserved a closer look for its failure to win a national championship, as he accomplished that feat with the Spartans during the 1999-2000 season. Michigan State is considered a national title contender after returning four starters from a team that reached the Sweet 16 last season.
Xavier Booker, an ESPN five-star recruit, leads an elite freshman class that could play a larger role in the future.
“I hope [the team] “responds by being checked off,” Izzo said. “There will be some adjustments.”
James Madison isn’t the only team that pulled off an upset on opening day of the 2023-24 men’s college basketball season.
Princeton, a 5.5-point underdog according to ESPN BET, won at Rutgers 68-61. Oklahoma State, a 10.5-point favorite according to ESPN BET, suffered a 64-59 home loss to Abilene Christian that ended last season at 13-17 overall and 5-11 in the Western Athletic Conference.
And Oakland made up the difference with a 79-73 loss to Ohio State. According to ESPN BET, the Grizzlies were a 19.5-point underdog on the road against the Buckeyes.