ANALYSIS: Tight 80-69 victory over Colgate a reason for concern for Michigan State?

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Anyone expecting an easy beginning to Michigan State’s regular season was sorely mistaken. The No. 22-ranked Spartans struggled and stammered against upset-minded Colgate in the regular season opener, Monday night at Breslin Center, but managed to pull through for an 80-69 victory. Michigan State shot an untidy 41.7 percent from the field and allowed Colgate’s tricky, five-out offense to get free for 37.9 percent from 3-point range in keeping things competitive for more than 30 minutes. Michigan State had 37 free throw attempts against only six for Colgate. But Michigan State was just 24 of 37 from the line, as free throw problems from the exhibition season have carried over to the regular season. A 47-25 advantage on the boards, including 15 from Jaxon Kohler, helped Michigan State fend off Colgate. “I didn’t think anybody guarded any good except Jeremy Fears in the second half,” said Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo. “I don’t know how we scored 80 points because we didn’t shoot good." (MORE inside SpartanMag. Join SpartanMag now - $1 for the first week - and enjoy a complimentary year of The Athletic included with your membership.)