Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Spartans past Illinois 79-65. The big man’s all-around performance, including 10 rebounds, was instrumental in sealing the win.
Kohler’s ability to draw energy from hostile crowds is well-documented, but his recent success is impressive. The forward has been working on his shooting routine and it paid off on Saturday night. He drained four of five three-pointers, stretching the floor and forcing Illinois to adjust its defense.
“I was much more worried about his 10 rebounds than I was his threes,” said Illinois coach Brad Underwood. “We need to be more aggressive when closing out to those guys.”
Kohler’s rebounding played a crucial role in Michigan State’s comeback, as he grabbed two straight misses before scoring an easy layup that sealed the win. His combination of scoring and rebounding is a key factor in his success, and it earned him praise from coach Tom Izzo.
“I told everybody after the UCLA game that you learn from your mistakes,” Kohler said. “Even though you have a wide-open look, you have to know the time and place and what’s going on in the game.”
Kohler’s growth is crucial for Michigan State’s upcoming schedule, which includes five ranked matchups in the next six games. His ability to score and rebound provides a consistent foundation for the team, and if his shots continue to fall, he will be nearly unstoppable.
With this performance, Kohler has proven himself as a valuable asset to the Spartans. As he continues to work on his game, Michigan State fans can expect big things from him in the days ahead.
Source: https://eu.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state-university/spartans/2025/02/16/kohler-sparks-career-best-performance-to-push-spartans-past-illinois/78863034007