Why MSU's Jaxon Kohler's Improved 3-Point Shooting is Important
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EAST LANSING, Mich. --- The best shooter on the court for Michigan State has come from an unexpected source.
That has been senior big man Jaxon Kohler to this point, who is 18-for-38 (47.4%) from three this season and is leading the Spartans in both makes and attempts. Kohler had been able to shoot threes last season, but he only attempted about one or two per game and made 19 all season. He hadn't made a three at all across his first two seasons at MSU, and had only attempted five.
Kohler continued to show his improved shooting abilities during Tuesday's 92-69 win over Toledo, where he went 2-for-3 from long range. He finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, his sixth double-double of the season already.
"I've always had a three-point shot," Kohler said after Tuesday's game. "It's just that there is a difference between having the ability to shoot and having the ability shoot in high-pressure situations in games. And it's always just reps. No matter if I have a 4-for-4 day or a 0-for-5 day, I'm always the first one to practice getting up 150 threes, or however many I've done."
Importance of Skilled Bigs
A lot of Tom Izzo's best teams have had somebody playing the four or the five who could step out on the perimeter and shoot it a bit. Kohler was one of those players on last season's Big Ten championship team. Michigan State was also hoping Xavier Booker would become another option in that regard (he's shooting 50% from deep at UCLA now).
This was something Toledo head coach Tod Kowalczyk brought up after the game, as well.
"Kohler can step out and shoot the way he does," he said. "I think of all of Tom's really good teams, he's had a four-man that can step out and shoot, because they're always going to be elite on defense, they're always going to be elite rebounding teams.
"But you go back to their [1999-00] national championship team, their four or five were skilled. They were skilled. [A.J.] Granger, that's what his name was. [Andre] Hutson was the four-five."
Just from a spacing perspective, it can make things so much better. Defenders now have to remain stuck to Kohler on the perimeter, rather than sag off and focus more on stopping any dribble penetration. This has allowed Kohler to help run the pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop more effectively.
Even though the Spartans lost their three main shooters from last year --- Jaden Akins, Jase Richardson, and Tre Holloman --- MSU is shooting it from deep much better now. Last season's team shot just 31.1% from three (317th nationally); this year, the Spartans are converting 36.5% of their attempts (74th nationally).
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A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
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