Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Indiana blowout in Week 11

In need of a win, Michigan State hosted and dismantled Indiana on Friday night. What’d we learn from the 85-57 win?

What slump? Michigan State answered the call on Friday night and dismantled Indiana in East Lansing, 85-57. The game wasn’t all that close from the get-go as the Spartans took a double-digit lead within the first 10 minutes and then never looked back. They led by 19 at halftime and extended it in the second half.

Michigan State silenced all the doubt and churned out its best looking win since the 91-61 victory over Maryland in the final home game before students returned to campus. It sure feels like this team has figured out what went wrong over the three previous games.

What’d we learn from Michigan State’s 28-point win over the Hoosiers?

5. Matt McQuaid is a valuable commodity

On nights like Friday, it’s easy to see why Matt McQuaid can be a valuable sixth man for this team. He’s not exactly the first guy you think of when you talk “role players” but he definitely comes to mind especially when you realize what he brings to the table.

McQuaid is an improved defender, but he can be whistled for silly fouls on drives every now and then. He’s a plus shooter and he’s worked on his ability to drive to the basket. There’s a reason he continues to get 15-plus minutes per game and he showed that against Indiana. He might just be the most valuable player off the bench.

The junior wing had 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting and also had three rebounds and two assists with no turnovers. When he’s in the game, he needs to get some shots up. That’s the only way he’ll continue to have confidence and he’s more valuable to the Spartans more than people think.