Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler records double-double in 96-60 win over Niagara

On By Littum

East Lansing — When Jaxon Kohler finished Thursday night’s 96-60 win over Niagara with a double-double off the bench, his Michigan State teammates paid him back by dumping water on him in celebration.

“Jaxson has been the shy guy over the years,” MSU coach Tom Izzo said after the game. “And those guys doused him with water. I said, ‘Hey, this isn’t a Final Four guys.’ But in a way I was kind of happy because all the guys were really comfortable with him.”

BOX SCORE: Michigan State 96, Niagara 60

It might not have been March, but Kohler’s 20 points and 13 rebounds were critical as Michigan State (2-0) rode the bench to a win over Niagara (1-1). Kohler was one of 11 players to score and among five to finish in double figures, including three players off the bench who contributed 56 points outside of the starting five.

Such a strong outing from Kohler and the bench is an indicator of Michigan State’s depth, but that depth wasn’t a luxury Thursday — it was a necessity. A flat start gave way to a 9-2 deficit as Niagara hit three 3-pointers. And after three minutes, Izzo turned to his bench for a spark.

“The great thing about this team is that we have so many people that can be starters for any team,” Kohler said after the win. “And when we come off the bench, we give that spark.”

A spark turned into a flame as a seven-point deficit soon turned into a 16-12 lead. The Spartans never trailed the rest of the night and kept the Flames burning as they should have against an overmatched Niagara team. But it wasn’t entirely easy to pull away.

Niagara opted to play small ball with four guards and kept pace with an abundance of 3-pointers. The unit’s speed posed a problem for the MSU forwards, especially the ‘4’ duo of starter Xavier Booker and Kohler. Niagara picked its battles and was tough, outscoring the Spartans’ starters at times.

What Niagara didn’t exceed was MSU’s depth. With Kohler in the game, as well as guards Tre Holloman and Jase Richardson, the Spartans found fresh legs to keep up with Niagara.

“Depth is huge for them,” Niagara coach Greg Paulus said after the game. “And not just in numbers in terms of scoring, but in size and physicality and then also with the pace they have in the game.”

In the end, Michigan State’s depth just wore down Niagara. Just after cutting the lead to just three points in the second half, Niagara’s small forwards committed a series of mistakes trying to defend the paint. With Kohler on the floor and with renewed toughness from starter Frankie Fidler, MSU sparked an 11-point run by getting to the paint and getting to the line, effectively winning the game going forward.

All the while, Kohler feasted with 10 points and nine rebounds in the second half, doing so with a number of starters and bench players around him. It was a signature performance from a player who knows these contributions are his role.

Kohler wants these double-digit depth performances to be regular.

“I know I can do it and translating that into the game is what I have to do,” Kohler said. “I feel like I did that tonight and you know, something clicked and that’s what I’m going to expect from myself.”

Kohler led the way with 20 points, but Richardson’s 12-point night and Holloman’s 11 points also played a big role. Fidler led the starters with 11 points, while guard Jaden Akins also had 10. Eight assists from point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. led that category.

Depth was crucial to Michigan State’s win, but don’t count on the starting lineup to change much. Even though he’s had a double-double off the bench, Izzo seems happy with his group. He noted that there could be a question mark about the three where Fidler is currently playing. But he is generally happy with where his unit has come.

“I like our rotation right now,” Izzo said. “And it’s just going to hold guys accountable.”

It’s hard not to like your rotation when a player gets a double-double off the bench. That’s a sign of both Michigan State’s depth and the level of talent within that depth. Both led the way to a victory against Niagara.

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@ConnorEaregood