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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Long Beach State blowout

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 21: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates from the bench during the game against the Long Beach State 49ers at Breslin Center on December 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 21: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates from the bench during the game against the Long Beach State 49ers at Breslin Center on December 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball hosted Long Beach State and came away with a blowout win on Thursday night. What’d we learn?

Improving to 12-1 on the season just one year after needing until January to reach 12 wins, Michigan State routed Long Beach State in East Lansing on Thursday night.

The win was the second straight 100-point performance for the Spartans, the first time they have recorded back-to-back 100-point games since November of 2004 when they started the season with three in a row.

Michigan State will now get the next week off before facing Cleveland State next Friday and then closing the non-conference schedule with Savannah State a couple days later. There’s a good chance the Spartans will enter conference play with a 14-1 record, especially if they can play like they did against Long Beach State.

What’d we learn from the Spartans’ blowout victory over Long Beach State on Thursday?

5. Gavin Schilling is gaining momentum off bench

Everyone talks about just how efficient Nick Ward is for the Spartans, but don’t sleep on Gavin Schilling off the bench. To start the year, it was clear he was still a little rusty after missing last season with a knee injury, but it seems as if he’s gained momentum in recent games.

In fact, he finished with seven points, six rebounds, three blocks and an assist on Thursday against the 49ers and that’s just one game after putting up seven points, seven rebounds and a steal. He has been solid off the bench even though he played just 12 minutes against Long Beach State.

Michigan State could use production like this off the bench when Ward needs a breather or when Jaren Jackson Jr. is in foul trouble. Over the last five games, he’s averaging 4.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He’s been a big lift off the bench and could get even better from this point on.

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