Michigan State basketball big Jaxon Kohler wants foes to know: 'I'm dominant'

EAST LANSING — Jaxon Kohler plays with the boundless energy of an uncaged new puppy, barking and bouncing around the court, excited to be doing the things he couldn’t a year ago after foot surgery put a leash on him.

Yet at the same time, the Michigan State basketball junior forward channels his enthusiasm through his howls and growls for another reason: to let opponents know he’s an alpha dog.

“My dad kind of explained it to me that not only are you giving yourself energy, you're giving your teammates energy. And also, you're kind of putting your foot down against the other team, showing like, 'Hey, I've got the energy, don't mess with me,’” Kohler said after practice Tuesday. “It was kind of like that tone. ... ‘I'm dominant. This is my game.’”

Finally healthy, Kohler continues to help reinvigorate MSU's post play as the seventh-ranked Spartans head into Tom Izzo’s 27th straight March Madness. No. 2 seed MSU (27-6) takes on 15-seed Bryant (23-11) in the first round of the NCAA tournament South region Friday night in Cleveland. Tipoff is 10 p.m. (TBS) at Rocket Arena.

A year ago, the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Utah native missed the Spartans’ first 14 games after his October 2023 foot surgery and December reaggravation of the injury. He didn’t return until early January 2024 and struggled to find the deft footwork in the paint that defines his offensive game, averaging two points and two rebounds in only 9.2 minutes a game.

It was clear to see how much MSU relies on Kohler this year on Saturday, when early foul trouble limited him in a Big Ten tournament semifinal loss to Wisconsin. He finished with seven points and seven rebounds after sitting the bulk of the first half, but the Badgers’ big men feasted down low as Carson Cooper and Szymon Zapala also had rough games in extended minutes.

“We need Jaxon, and we need Carson,” Izzo said Saturday. “Szymon struggled today. I know it's his first big tournament, I think that hurt a little bit. ... That (post play) is one of our strength that we have, but those guys have got to play well.”

Kohler, who averages eight points and a team-leading 7.6 rebounds per game, is playing some of his best basketball late in the season. Over his last 11 games, he has averaged 9.3 points and 7.7 rebounds with three of his seven double-doubles on the season. He has also flashed his improved outside shooting, going 9-for-17 on 3-point attempts in that stretch.

It's no coincidence that MSU won nine times during his surge.

“The great thing about this team is that we're always bouncing energy off of each other,” Kohler said. “Sometimes I give it, sometimes coach gives it. Sometimes Tre (Holloman) gives it, sometimes Jaden (Akins) gives it, (Jeremy) Fears, everybody. And the bench is giving it, so it's just an endless cycle of energy. And when you have that, it kind of shows the other team we're ready to freaking play.”

Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) shoots a three point basket against Wisconsin during the second half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Kohler was a freshman role player in MSU’s last Sweet 16 run in 2022. He enters this NCAA tournament having started the past 30 games, averaging 20.8 minutes. And as the team’s resident deep thinker, often pausing to ponder a question and providing an introspective answer, he feels it is important to maintain the same approach he has taken all season now that it’s March Madness.

“Even though this is tournament time, this really isn't much different than a regular game,” he said. “Because at the end of the day, think what you want, but you have to simplify it — this is a game, five-on-five, team versus team. Everything else, like being in the tournament and what lies ahead and what you've accomplished, all those things are kind of distractions in their own way. You have to simplify it to a five-on-five game, you gotta play your hardest, you gotta to know your coverages, and you have to know your offense and play as hard as you can.

“And everything else, it's part of just kind of my DNA in terms of giving energy and providing that emotional energy. Knowing that this tournament could add pressure, but it also just kind of makes it more fun to give off that energy.”

Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) reacts to a play against Wisconsin during the second half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State basketball's Jaxon Kohler to foes: 'This is my game'