“Embarrassing”: Inside the locker room, Spartans say changes are needed after Big Ten Tournament exit

CHICAGO – The Michigan State locker room was quiet in a way that only postseason locker rooms can be.

Once all the players and coaches have entered the locker room after a Big Ten Tournament game, the winning team is allowed a five-minute cooling off period before the media is allowed in; the losing team gets 15 minutes. The Spartans took nearly all of the 15 minutes.

Once the media made their way in, the players answered every question put their way. Some were still in uniform. Others had towels draped around their shoulders. A few sat forward on the stools in front of their lockers, elbows resting on their knees, staring at the floor.

The scoreboard from the United Center still lingered in everyone’s mind: UCLA 88, Michigan State 84.

There was no attempt to dress it up.

“It was kind of embarrassing,” Jeremy Fears Jr. said.

The sophomore point guard spoke calmly, but the frustration was clear.

“Obviously, credit to them,” Fears said. “They played good. But just overall how we played – it was embarrassing.”

A few lockers away, Carson Cooper gave almost the same answer when asked about the mood inside the room.

“You know, it was an embarrassing moment,” Cooper said. “Coach was embarrassed about how we played. I’m embarrassed about how we played.”

He paused.

“Especially when you’ve got family here. You’ve got people that fly out to watch you play. It’s a really bad look.”

A Game That Never Felt Comfortable

Statistically, Michigan State did enough offensively to win.

The Spartans scored 84 points, shot 45.2 percent from the field, and knocked down 11 three-pointers. They finished with 24 assists, a number that usually reflects an offense operating with rhythm.

Fears led the way with 21 points and 13 assists, controlling much of Michigan State’s half-court offense. Coen Carr added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Carson Cooper chipped in 13 points and five rebounds.

But the game never felt stable.

UCLA shot 55.6 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from three-point range, consistently answering Michigan State runs with timely baskets.

The Spartans led for just 2 minutes and 53 seconds all night.

UCLA controlled the game for 33 minutes and 21 seconds.

That meant Michigan State spent most of the night chasing.

“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot early,” Cooper said, leaning forward in front of his locker. “Then we’re clawing back the whole game.”

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING.