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Michigan State Basketball: Report card for lopsided win over Houston Baptist

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 18: Miles Bridges #22 and Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans react to a second half play while playing the Houston Baptist Huskies at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 107-62. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 18: Miles Bridges #22 and Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans react to a second half play while playing the Houston Baptist Huskies at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 107-62. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Houston Baptist came to East Lansing for a non-conference bout on Monday evening and Michigan State basketball on won with ease.

Michigan State welcomed Houston Baptist to Breslin Center on Monday night and the Spartans came away with a 45-point victory, 107-62. Not only was it the Spartans’ biggest margin of victory on the year, but it was arguably the best offensive showing for this team.

The Spartans improved to 11-1 on the season. It took Michigan State until Jan. 4 to reach 11 wins last season and at that point, the Spartans were just 11-5. This team looks much more poised for a deep run in March and a strong showing in conference play, but that’s as long as it plays to potential.

The win over Houston Baptist was an impressive one as the Spartans looked all-around more complete than they had against inferior foes. Did the overall grades for Michigan State reflect how well they looked, though?

Who graded the highest in the Spartans’ blowout win over Houston Baptist?

Bench: A-

It’s been a slow start to the season for Michigan State’s bench, but that all changed on Monday as the role players chipped in 26 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists, five blocks and two steals. These role players looked to be much more active against Houston Baptist and it might be the start of a trend.

Let’s start with Tum Tum Nairn who led the team in minutes off the bench with 23. He didn’t attempt a single shot, which is wild to think of in that much time on the floor, but he had five assists, a steal and just one turnover. He is a great facilitator behind Cassius Winston.

Matt McQuaid played 17 minutes, scoring eight points and grabbed five rebounds with an assist and a block. He also made 2-of-4 shots from 3-point range and 3-of-5 from the floor.

Gavin Schilling had a surprisingly good game that needs to turn into a more consistent effort. He scored seven points to go along with seven rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Xavier Tillman was the next best performer off the bench with eight points, three rebounds and a block in just seven minutes. That’s Nick Ward-like efficiency and he has a bright future in the post. Kenny Goins had two points, two blocks and a rebound, Ben Carter scored a point with two assists and a block and Conner George played three minutes.

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