Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from tight win over Oakland

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 9: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during game action against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Breslin Center on December 9, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Tom Izzo has his most dominant post yet

Look at that post play. Michigan State has one of the best post presences in the country, and especially the Big Ten. There’s a reason teams have a tough time scoring inside the arc and that starts with Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. down low.

Tom Izzo has never had a more dominant post and Ward has been the star down low. He had yet another strong game against the Golden Grizzlies on Saturday, putting up 15 points to go along with a career-high 15 rebounds. He recorded a block and shot 6-for-10 from the floor.

Jackson Jr. was also strong down low, scoring 10 points to go along with seven rebounds and four blocks. These two have combined for a formidable duo.

Moreover, this strong post play held Oakland starting forwards Jalen Hayes and Isaiah Brock to just 18 points and five rebounds on 7-of-17 shooting. Only one other forward, Tom Cotter, broke the scoring column, adding three points. This post play is the best Izzo in his tenure, or so it seems.

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