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Michigan State Basketball: Report card for win over DePaul in PK80

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 19: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Bryan Sekunda #22 of the Stony Brook Seawolves at Breslin Center on November 19, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 19: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Bryan Sekunda #22 of the Stony Brook Seawolves at Breslin Center on November 19, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 11: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against Mickey Mitchell #00 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 81-54. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 11: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against Mickey Mitchell #00 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 81-54. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Offense: B-

The quiet offensive performance by the Spartans was a bit out of character, especially to this point in the season. Through three games before Thursday night’s contest against DePaul, the Spartans had scored over 80 points each time and over 90 twice. On Thursday, they finished with just 73.

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That could be attributed to a poor first-half output by just about everyone. Foul trouble forced some non-scoring lineups to take the floor and the half-court offense struggled mightily. Far too often the Spartans were settling for contested jumpers instead of getting the ball into the post.

One play that stood out above the rest was Cassius Winston dribbling the shot clock down to 10 seconds before calling a timeout and then running a play that led to a turnover. The half-court offense must improve moving forward. Far too many turnovers (15) were had once again on Thursday.

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What saved this facet of the game from a C/C- was the fact that the shooting was much more effective. The Spartans made 47 percent from the floor and 44 percent from 3-point range. Oh yeah, and they had 17 assists on 25 made baskets.

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