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Michigan State Basketball: 3 things we learned vs. Penn State

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Joshua Langford (1) controls the ball in front of Penn State Nittany Lions guard Josh Reaves (23) 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 Joshua Langford (1) controls the ball in front of Penn State Nittany Lions guard Josh Reaves (23) during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball recorded a dominant win over Penn State on Thursday afternoon and here are three things we learned.

Coming into the game, Michigan State basketball needed a win in the worst way, falling in two straight heartbreaking contests to end the season. The Spartans were squarely on the bubble, but an emphatic victory over Penn State would put them into the NCAA Tournament, more than likely.

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

The Spartans raced out to an early lead and never looked back, putting Tom Izzo’s mind at ease heading into a quarterfinal matchup with Minnesota. The Golden Gophers will be hungry, though, as they’ve lost twice to Michigan State this season already.

Let’s take a look at what we learned from the Spartans’ 78-51 victory over Penn State.

1. Tum Tum doesn’t need to score to be effective

We’ve ripped on Tum Tum Nairn all year for his lack of offensive production, but Thursday’s game proved that he doesn’t necessarily need to score to be effective. The junior point guard can be an efficient passer and find the open man, leading to easy buckets. He did so nine time against Penn State, finishing with those nine assists and no turnovers. No one cares if he’s not scoring baskets as long as he can have an assist-to-turnover ratio that perfect.

2. Josh Langford needs to keep shooting

Shoot, shoot and shoot some more, Josh. The Spartans need the young freshman guard from Alabama to continue his hot stretch and to get as many shots up as he can because, well, he’s quite possibly the best shooter on the team. He made 6-of-10 shots for the Spartans against Penn State and was a major reason why the lead was extended early on.

Related Story: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for March

3. The NCAA Tournament ticket is likely punched

With the win, the Spartans escape some bubble talk and get into the field of 68. While it’s not a sure thing just yet, Michigan State improves to 19-13 overall and that seems like — especially this season — the closest thing to a lock that there is for this squad. It hasn’t been a pretty year and this team has been wildly inconsistent, but the fact that they could win a game by this margin with their backs against the wall just proves that they will be a tough out in March.

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