Jaxon Kohler sets career best performance as new standard

EAST LANSING – Jaxon Kohler hopped off the bench three minutes into the game and provided an immediate spark on both ends of the floor.

Less than 90 seconds after checking in, the Michigan State forward had a defensive rebound and then cleaned up the offensive glass leading to an and-one and three-point play.

That was just the start of a career best performance for Kohler, who set highs with 20 points and 13 rebounds and added two steals in Thursday's 96-60 win against Niagara .

"Tonight, it was just working but that's kind of my expectation on what it should be," Kohler said. "I feel like I'm capable of doing that."

Coach Tom Izzo repeatedly said Kohler was the team's top performer over the summer. That wasn't reflected in Monday's season-opening win against Monmouth in which the junior had five points and three turnovers while struggling to corral the ball in the post.

Thursday night was different. Kohler was more surehanded in the lane and a menace on the boards, didn't commit a turnover and hustled. During one sequence late in the first half, he missed the back end of a pair of free throws but remained active in the scramble. Kohler tracked down a loose ball at the arc, dished to Jeremy Fears and then immediately got it back on a cut down the lane for an open dunk.

"He just went," Izzo said of Kohler. "As I tell our guys, effort related things is a choice, it's a choice. Do you want to do it or do you not want to do it? Do you want to go or do you not want to go? Do you want to run or do you not want to run? Effort related things are a choice and I give him credit."

Kohler's sophomore year was stunted by a foot injury that sidelined him for the first half of last season. He never got on track and averaged just two points per game but followed with a strong summer and on Thursday was a different player than a year ago.

"I think he does a great job pursuing the basketball. He wedges you out for offensive rebounds," Niagara coach Greg Paulus said of Kohler while recalling similarities while on staff at Ohio State. "A little bit like the Wisconsin teams used to do where a shot goes up and he's anticipating it like it's a defensive rebound but really it's an offensive rebound. He had six offensive rebounds and he just doesn't quit on plays."

Michigan State now tracks every stat from every practice and Kohler's production behind closed doors showed up Thursday night. He was the top spark while spearheading a 56-18 domination in points off the bench, to go with his work on the glass.

"I know I can do it and translating that to the game, that's what I need to do," Kohler said. "I feel like I did that tonight and something clicked and that's what I'm going to be expecting from myself in the game."

Immediately after moving to 2-0 and before Tuesday's game against No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic, Kohler stopped for an interview before heading up the tunnel. There was a surprise waiting down the hall in the locker room.

"Jaxon's been the shy guy over the years," Izzo said. "Those guys showered him with water. I said, hey, this is not a Final Four, guys, but in a way I was kind of happy because all the guys really felt good for him."