Three takeaways from Michigan State basketball's season-ending loss to Auburn

It was a sad night for Michigan State basketball and Spartan fans around the country, as MSU couldn't overcome the No. 1 ranked team in the country, Auburn, and were eliminated from the 2025 NCAA Tournament in the Elite 8 on Sunday.

Below, you can see our takeaways from a heartbreaking loss for the Spartans:

No. 1: Shooting woes finally cost MSU

Michigan State's three best wing shooters, Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman, and Jase Richardson, combined to go 3-for-17 from three against Auburn. When you are facing one of the best rim-protecting teams in the country in Auburn, you will probably need to hit some outside shots, because we also saw that it was almost impossible to score inside too, with those same players going 10-for-40 from the field overall. To beat a team like Auburn, MSU was probably going to need to hit some shots, and they couldn't on Sunday.

No. 2: Michigan State can't overcome Auburn barrage

I don't think MSU necessarily needed to be able to hit shots to beat Auburn going into the game, but after a 17-0 run early in the game, it suddenly became very necessary for this Michigan State team to hit some threes, and the bottom-ranked shooting team in the Big Ten just couldn't do it. Honestly, it's pretty amazing they only lost by six all things considered.

No. 3: This team can make it back, and go further

For those MSU fans who are feeling depressed today, just know that there is hope. Michigan State will be losing a few key players like Jaden Akins, Szymon Zapala and Frankie Fidler, but as of right now, the rest of the team is intact. Jase Richardson has indicated that he is at least open to foregoing the NBA draft to return for another season. Coen Carr's rapid growth should continue over the summer. Jeremy Fears will have a full, healthy offseason to work out some of the kinks to his game. The Spartans also have two elite recruits in Jordan Scott and Cam Ward coming into fold, along with players like Kur Teng and Gehrig Normand who have been waiting in the wings. Add a couple transfers, and you have another formidable squad coming back next year.

In his post-game comments, Izzo couldn't help but recall how his first national title team progressed from a Sweet Sixteen, to a Final Four, to finally breaking through for the championship in 2000. If they can build on the foundation they formed this year, don't be surprised to see them back in the title picture next season.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Three takeaways from Michigan State's Elite 8 loss to Auburn