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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Maryland blowout

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. When Spartans limit turnovers, they’re unstoppable

By not turning the ball over 15-plus times, Michigan State looked like a completely different team on Thursday night. Finishing with 30 assists and only seven turnovers is something that had to make Tom Izzo proud and it’s what he wants to see game in and game out.

Beating Maryland by 30 points isn’t an easy task. The Terrapins were 13-3 coming into the game and had been giving teams fits throughout the season defensively. However, the Spartans were able to avoid the turnover bug and even force 12 Maryland cough-ups — though that’s under their normal 16 turnovers per game.

Playing clean basketball can make all the difference. Just look at the game against Savannah State to end non-conference play. The Spartans played sloppily to start the game, turning the ball over left and right and the Tigers were able to keep with the Spartans. In the second half when they stopped turning it over, they out-scored the Tigers 57-14 and ended the game on a 32-0 run.

A limited turnover Michigan State team is tough to beat. Michigan State is already difficult to keep up with when it finishes games with 15-20 turnovers, but when it has less than 10, watch out.

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