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Michigan State Basketball: Report card for win over Southern Utah

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 9: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball defended by Dre Marin #4 of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Breslin Center on December 9, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 9: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball defended by Dre Marin #4 of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Breslin Center on December 9, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – DECEMBER 05: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans loses the ball as Shaquille Doorson #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends in the second half on December 5, 2017 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – DECEMBER 05: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans loses the ball as Shaquille Doorson #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends in the second half on December 5, 2017 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Defense: A-

Once again, Michigan State’s defense led the way. The Spartans held yet another opponent under 35 percent shooting from the floor. Unfortunately, the 3-point defense continues to struggle and that’s where the A- grade comes in rather than an A.

This defense has smothered opponents for the past few weeks, holding seven straight opponents under 65 points and five of those have failed to break the 60-mark. At one point in Saturday’s game, it looked like the Thunderbirds would score 70-plus, but the Spartans clamped down and put together a nice run to end the game.

Let’s break down the numbers. Outside of 3-point defense (Southern Utah was 11-for-26), the Spartans were stellar on this end of the floor. Michigan State finished with 12 blocks, six steals and held the Thunderbirds to just 26 percent from inside the arc. That helps out the season percentage which sat around 32 percent from inside the 3-point line.

Michigan State continues to prove itself as one of the best in college football and it’s because of that impressive shot-blocking prowess as well as strong pick-and-roll defense inside the arc.

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