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Michigan State Basketball: Highlights, top players vs. Penn State

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) dunks the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions guard Josh Reaves (23) looks on in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) dunks the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions guard Josh Reaves (23) looks on in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball picked up a big win against Penn State on Thursday, essentially punching a ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

Not many people could have predicted a Michigan State basketball win quite as emphatic as the one it had on Thursday afternoon over Penn State. The Spartans, needing a win, came into the game with something to prove. They jumped out to a huge lead and never looked back.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Big Ten Tournament

Michigan State improves to 19-13 on the season with the 27-point victory and it’s one win away from reaching the coveted 20-mark for the year and reaching the semifinals yet again. Minnesota stands in the way on Friday afternoon, though.

Who were the Spartans top performers on Thursday afternoon?

Three Stars

Miles Bridges got off to a quiet start, but the elite freshman finished strong, putting up 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks on just 6-of-11 shooting.

Nick Ward was a monster from start to finish, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds with two blocks as well, shooting 5-of-8 from the floor.

A pleasant surprise, Josh Langford stepped up to finish with 13 points and he even grabbed five rebounds. He needs to be aggressive with the ball in his hands moving forward like he was against Penn State.

Key Stats

  • Tum Tum Nairn scored zero points but he had nine assists and no turnovers. If he can do that every game, the Spartans will be just fine.
  • Michigan State made 10-of-22 3-pointers.
  • Penn State shot just 29 percent from the floor and 26 percent from long range.
  • Michigan State had eight blocks and four steals with a dominant defensive effort.
  • Spartan bench out-scored Penn State’s 30-8.
  • Michigan State out-rebounded Penn State 44-29.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/MichiganStOnBTN/status/839931016793899008

https://twitter.com/BigTenNetwork/status/839934918033416192

Related Story: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for March

What’s Next?

Michigan State will face off against Minnesota for the third time this season and the Spartans won the first two contests. It’s tough to beat a team three times in one year and the Spartans will get another crack at making it back to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

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