Jaden Akins – Syndication Server

WATCH: Jaden Akins on-court interview after Michigan State basketball’s win over Mississippi State

Well, after a long season of trepidation, anxiety, anger, and frustration, Michigan State basketball is moving right along in the NCAA Tournament after handily dispatching Mississippi State in the first round of play.

One of the heroes of that win was Jaden Akins. The Spartan shooting guard was flying all over the court, showing off his athleticism and hitting big shots, while playing some amazing defense as well.

After the game, Akins was given the honor of the on-court interview, which you can watch below:

"We said when we get in the Tournament, it's a new season anything can happen. … We knew we just had to take care of business first game and that's what we did."

—@MSU_Basketball's Jaden Akins pic.twitter.com/cE1trytS9l

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 21, 2024

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

3 takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s loss to Iowa

3 takeaways from Michigan State’s loss to Iowa

Michigan State basketball laid an egg on Tuesday night, dropping a game to Iowa inside of the Breslin Center, 78-71. The game proved to be a major disappointment for Spartan fans, with the team snapping a 3-game winning streak, and ultimately looked uninspired on the court.

The loss doesn’t end their season, or prove to be a huge blow to NCAA Tournament hopes, but it is one that will frustrate everyone involved with the program.

Albeit a loss, there is still something to take away from the game, and still something for MSU fans to look forward to:

Highlights: Michigan State basketball makes huge plays in win over Baylor

Check out the highlight filled day for Michigan State over Baylor

Michigan State and Baylor met inside of Little Caesars Arena on Saturday afternoon with the Spartans desperate for a big win over the No. 6 team in the country. The Spartans got exactly what they were looking for, dominating the Bears, 88-64, getting the huge win.

En route to the huge victory, the Spartans made highlight play after highlight play to keep the crowd loud and on their feet throughout their dominating victory.

Check out the highlight filled day for the Spartans:

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

Michigan State basketball dominates Georgia Southern at home, 86-55

Michigan State dominated Georgia Southern on Tuesday night

Michigan State welcomed in Georgia Southern on Tuesday night for a game at the Breslin Center. It was a dominating performance by the Spartans, defeating the Eagles, 86-55.

Michigan State flexed its defensive muscle early in the game, holding the Eagles to just 11 first half points. The Spartans were locked in a 13-9 game at the under 12 timeout in the first half before going on a 25-2 run to end the half, separating themselves in the game.

Th second half saw the Spartans continuing to move on cruise control to the finish line.

Five Spartans finished in double figures, but were led by Jaden Akins (14 points) in the game.

New football coach Jonathan Smith also addressed the crowd during the game.

MSU will be back in action next Tuesday in their first conference matchup of the season against Wisconsin.

Tom Izzo: Jaden Akins can be ‘Gary Harris type shooter’ for Michigan State basketball

Tom Izzo: Jaden Akins can be ‘Gary Harris type shooter’ for Michigan State

Last year, Jaden Akins was poised for a big role with Michigan State basketball. While he had a solid season, it was clear that missing the offseason with a foot injury prevented him from feeling too comfortable on the court, despite finishing the season with excellent shooting numbers (42.2-percent from three) and averaging nearly 10 points and four rebounds per game.

Tom Izzo told Jon Rothstein that Akins is up 10 pounds from the end of last season, a sign that he is healthy and able to hit the weight room, and Izzo also told Rothstein that Akins could be a ‘Gary Harris type shooter’ for MSU this year.

Tom Izzo tells me that Michigan State's Jaden Akins has gained 10 pounds since the end of last season.

Izzo on Akins: "I think he can be a Gary Harris type shooter during the upcoming year."

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 25, 2023

With that extra muscle, Akins should be able to absorb much more contact on his electrifying drives to the rim, and it’s hard to see the shooting numbers going anywhere but up after a healthy offseason.

The Field of 68: MSU basketball has one of best backcourts in country

See where The Field of 68 ranks the Spartans’ backcourt nationally

Michigan State basketball will have one of the best backcourts nationally this upcoming year — but is it the best?

The Field of 68 — a college basketball media network — released their top 20 backcourts in the country this week, and to no surprise, the Spartans were included. The trio of Tyson Walker, AJ Hoggard and Jaden Akins is arguably the best in the country, but The Field of 68 doesn’t have them at the top. Michigan State came in at No. 4 behind Marquette (No. 1), Duke (No. 2) and Kansas (No. 3).

I personally wouldn’t trade the Spartans’ trio over anyone else’s backcourt in the country. That’s also not including the depth behind these guys including incoming freshman and McDonald’s All-American Jeremey Fears.

Check out the complete rankings from The Field of 68 below:

The Almanac releases next week…

In the meantime, what do you think of our Top 20 Backcourts list for next season? 🤔

Get The Almanac here: https://t.co/MQigQlUog0 pic.twitter.com/z5xh1FJ3yf

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) September 14, 2023

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

Jaden Akins, A.J. Hoggard withdraw from NBA draft, will return to Michigan State basketball

Jaden Akins, A.J. Hoggard withdrawing from NBA draft, will return to Michigan State

The last domino for the 2023-24 Michigan State basketball roster has fallen. On Wednesday, Chris Solari broke the news that was then confirmed by the official MSU basketball Twitter account that Jaden Akins and A.J. Hoggard were withdrawing from the 2023 NBA draft and returning to East Lansing for another season.

The return of Akins and Hoggard should cement the Spartans as a preseason top-10 team that will be considered to be one of the betting favorites to make a Final Four run next season.

Ready to get back to work. pic.twitter.com/k3mL1u3eP9

— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) May 31, 2023

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Tom Izzo provides statement on Jaden Akins entering NBA Draft while maintaining eligibility

Head coach Tom Izzo provides his thoughts on starting guard Jaden Akins entering NBA Draft while maintaining eligibility

Michigan State basketball could be losing a key starter off next year’s team.

Spartans guard Jaden Akins announced late last week that he would test the draft waters and enter his name into the NBA Draft while still maintaining his eligibility. This means Akins will have the ability to go through the draft evaluation process and return to Michigan State should he get feedback that he’s not happy with.

So what does head coach Tom Izzo think of Akins’ decision to enter the NBA Draft? He’s in full support of Akins’ choice.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Izzo issued a statement after the Akins news broke, and said Michigan State will “celebrate the accomplishment” if the feedback he receives suggests he’ll be drafted in a spot best for him. On the flip side, if Akins were to return to Michigan State, Izzo said “we will immediately get to work for next season” and the Spartans “will take the information he gathers and use it to his advantage as he continues to develop.”

Check out the complete statement from Izzo below:

MSU coach Tom Izzo on Jaden Akins’ announcement he plans to enter the NBA draft with option to return to college. pic.twitter.com/BZ67Te2PNx

— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 21, 2023

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

Impact: Jaden Akins declaring for NBA draft

Analyzing the impact of Jaden Akins decision to declare for the NBA Draft

Jaden Akins declared for the NBA Draft, while maintaining his eligibility to possibly return to MSU. That decision was somewhat expected, but the news still carries a shock factor to it.

Akins presence is a big one for MSU, and the impact of him staying or leaving is somewhat massive, especially for the 2023-24 season.

While Spartan fans would love for a return, let’s walk through the scenario that he does stay in the NBA Draft.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

Jaden Akins declares for NBA Draft, maintains his eligibility for possible return to MSU

A key piece for Michigan State basketball could be heading to the NBA earlier than we anticipated

A key piece for Michigan State basketball could be heading to the NBA earlier than we anticipated.

Michigan State guard Jaden Akins announced on Friday that he has declared for the NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility. So this means he will seek NBA evaluation and determine if he’d like to leave his name in the draft or return to Michigan State for his junior season in 2023-24.

Jaden Akins says he’s declared for the NBA draft, but is maintaining his eligibility. Izzo mentioned this could be coming at his year-end presser. Going through the evaluation and getting a sense of how the NBA sees you makes lots of sense. If it turns out you’re ready, great.

— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) April 21, 2023

Akins averaged 9.8 points and 4 rebounds per game this past year. He started 25 of the 30 games he played in, and was expected to be one of the Spartans top players on next year’s loaded team.

If Akins were to leave, it would be a significant loss to Michigan State but not one they wouldn’t be able to manage since they are deep in the back court. If he returns, then Michigan State will clearly be one of the favorites to win the Big Ten and contend for a National Championship next year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]