Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Maryland blowout

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket 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) /

1. This team has endless scoring options

At the beginning of the year, Michigan State broke 90 points just two times in its first 11 games. It looked like the Spartans were focusing more on the defensive aspect of the game and letting the offense work itself out. It seems as if the offense is beginning to hit its stride as the Spartans have broken 90 points in each of the past five games — four of which broke 100.

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What’s the reason for the success? One is the impressive passing exhibited by just about everyone. As mentioned earlier, the Spartans have been facilitating better than anyone in college basketball and that usually leads to open shots.

Another reason? The amount of scoring options on the roster are seemingly endless. Everyone in the starting lineup is capable of putting up 10-plus points per game and that’s exactly where their averages are all at right now.

Coming off the bench are guys like Matt McQuaid who can shoot lights out, Gavin Schilling who can be a strong presence in the post, Xavier Tillman who is growing into more of a Nick Ward-type player and Kenny Goins who has developed an outside shot, it seems. All these guys are helped by the strong facilitation of Cassius Winston and Tum Tum Nairn as well.

Next: MSU Basketball: Game-by-game predictions for January

Some teams have one or two solid scorers, Michigan State has five or six with a few extra who can put the ball in the basket.

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