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Michigan State Basketball: Turnovers nearly cost Spartans vs. Penn State

By Connor Muldowney

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for a call during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for a call during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball was able to come from behind for the second straight game to beat Penn State on Wednesday night.

Another game, another double-digit second-half deficit. Michigan State fell behind 41-29 with about 15 minutes left in the game and it looked as if the Spartans were staring down a massive home upset against Penn State.

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The Spartans showed little life for the first 25 minutes of the game, but finished with one of the grittiest wins of the year, rivaling Sunday’s victory over Maryland which required a 13-point comeback.

Michigan State couldn’t figure out how to score against a tough Nittany Lions defense, but something clicked five minutes into the second half and the Spartans went on a 41-14 run to take a 70-55 lead and put the game away — despite a late 3-point barrage and some sloppy play by the Spartans.

That late sloppiness played into the theme of the game: Michigan State’s turnover issues nearly came back to bite the Spartans in the rear.

For the second straight game, the Spartans found themselves down by double-digits thanks to ugly turnover issues. This is something that hasn’t doomed the Spartans to this point in the season, but when it comes to the NCAA Tournament, turnovers can end the their season, and they will if they continue to average 15-20 per game.

One major issue is Nick Ward’s inability to combat double-teams. He struggled in the post when an extra defender shifted over to make him uncomfortable. He turned the ball over four times, leading the team. Cassius Winston needs to value each possession and not try to make the nifty pass if it’s risky — at least in clutch situations or early in the game.

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Michigan State still has a month to figure out this turnover issues because it seems like that’s the only glaring issue at the moment. The Spartans have, however, shown plenty of heart over the past two games, making back-to-back double-digit comebacks.

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