Michigan State Basketball: Report card for Spartans win over Stony Brook

Despite a win over Stony Brook in the third game of the year, Michigan State basketball has plenty to work on. How did the Spartans grade out?

Michigan State made fans uncomfortable for the first 20 minutes, but pulled away late from Stony Brook on Sunday night. The Spartans had a difficult time slowing down the 3-point barrage from the Seawolves as they made 13-of-26 to make the game interesting.

Still, Michigan State found a way to win by 22 points, 93-71, and improve to 2-1 on the season. Unfortunately, Miles Bridges sprained his ankle in the process. He will be day-to-day and luckily it’s not a high-ankle sprain.

There’s still plenty to improve on, but which area of the Spartans’ game on Sunday night graded the highest?

Bench: B

The bench was relatively quiet all game long, but when Xavier Tillman came in, that all changed. He was the spark off the bench that Michigan State needed and he finished with a career-high in minutes played (14), points (9), rebounds (5) and blocks (3). Sure, it’s only the third game, but he looks like he could be a surprise contributor this year as a true freshman.

If not for Tillman’s big game, the Spartans’ bench would have finished with something closer to a B-/C+ for the game grade, in my opinion.

Tum Tum Nairn did add some valuable minutes, playing 22, but only take one shot, a 3-pointer, and missing it. He did dish out four assists with no turnovers. He’s been effective this year with the ball in his hands.

Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter combined for 20 minutes and recorded four points and six rebounds with three turnovers and four fouls. They weren’t as effective as Tom Izzo would have hoped.

Matt McQuaid played the most minutes off the bench, 25, and finished with just six points on 1-of-4 shooting and he was 0-for-2 from deep. He needs to find his stroke again in Michigan State wants to make a run.