I remember watching that January 26th game where San Miguel Beermen fell 115-97 to TNT Tropang Giga, and it struck me how even championship-caliber teams can have those nights where nothing seems to work. That Commissioner's Cup loss, followed by another 94-89 defeat on May 4th in the Philippine Cup, reminded me of Michigan State basketball's current situation. Both teams share that championship DNA, yet both have experienced those frustrating stretches where the pieces just aren't fitting together properly. As someone who's followed college basketball for over two decades, I've seen how programs like Michigan State can quickly pivot from underperforming to championship contention, and frankly, I believe Tom Izzo has what it takes to engineer that turnaround this season.

Looking at Michigan State's roster construction, there's genuine reason for optimism despite last season's inconsistencies. The Spartans return approximately 78% of their scoring from a team that showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in their defensive rotations and transition offense. What really excites me is the development of their backcourt – we're talking about a backcourt that could potentially rank among the top five in the Big Ten if they improve their three-point percentage from last season's disappointing 32.1%. Having watched countless practices and games, I've noticed specific improvements in their pick-and-roll defense that don't always show up in basic statistics. The addition of that transfer forward from the West Coast could provide exactly the kind of athleticism they've been missing in the frontcourt, though I'll admit I have some reservations about his consistency against physical Big Ten opponents.

The parallel I see with those Beermen losses is instructive – sometimes you need those painful defeats to reveal structural weaknesses. When San Miguel lost by 18 points in January, then by 5 in May, it wasn't just about poor shooting nights. Analysts noted defensive breakdowns and rotational issues that became more apparent in those high-pressure moments. Similarly, Michigan State's late-game execution cost them at least four winnable games last season by my count. I've always believed that close games reveal character, and the Spartans need to develop that killer instinct we saw from their 2000 and 2019 championship teams. What encourages me is Izzo's track record with player development – he's turned good players into great ones throughout his career, and I'm seeing similar growth patterns with this group during offseason workouts.

Offensively, the Spartans need to modernize their approach while maintaining their traditional strengths. They attempted only about 28 three-pointers per game last season, which placed them in the bottom half of power conference teams. In today's game, that's simply not enough spacing to create driving lanes for their talented guards. I'd like to see them increase that number to at least 32-35 attempts per game while maintaining or improving their percentage. The good news is their offensive rebounding percentage of 34.2% was actually quite solid – they need to maintain that physical identity while embracing more contemporary offensive concepts. From what I've observed in their offseason scrimmages, they're working on exactly that balance between inside dominance and perimeter shooting.

Defensively, there's work to be done, particularly in their perimeter defense where they allowed opponents to shoot 36.8% from three-point range. That number needs to drop below 34% for them to compete at the highest level. The defensive rotations need to be crisper, and they must improve their communication on switches. Having studied their game footage from last season, I noticed several instances where miscommunication led to open three-pointers – those are the kinds of correctable mistakes that separate good teams from great ones. Their half-court defense was actually quite respectable, ranking in the top 40 nationally according to advanced metrics, but their transition defense needs significant improvement.

The schedule presents both challenges and opportunities. Their non-conference slate includes several potential Quad 1 opportunities that could build their tournament resume early. I'm particularly interested in that early December matchup against a top-ranked opponent – winning that type of game could provide the confidence boost this team needs. The Big Ten schedule is always brutal, but with approximately 60% of their conference games at home, they have a legitimate chance to build momentum heading into March. Having followed Izzo's teams for years, I've noticed they often hit their stride in February – if they can enter that month with a solid record, I like their chances to build toward something special.

What really gives me confidence is the leadership within the team. The upperclassmen have taken ownership in ways that remind me of past Spartan championship teams. I've spoken with several people close to the program who note the increased accountability in voluntary workouts and film sessions. That internal leadership, combined with Izzo's coaching, creates an environment where rapid improvement is possible. The Beermen losses I mentioned earlier occurred partly because of leadership voids in critical moments – Michigan State appears to be addressing that issue proactively.

Ultimately, returning to championship contention requires both tangible improvements and that intangible championship mentality. The Spartans have the talent – now they need to develop the consistency and mental toughness that defines great teams. I'm optimistic about their chances because I've seen this program overcome similar challenges before. The pieces are there – the coaching, the talent, the schedule, and most importantly, the motivation from last season's disappointments. If they can fix those correctable issues from last year while embracing a more modern offensive approach, I genuinely believe they can not only return to championship contention but potentially cut down the nets in March.