Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over No. 3 Purdue

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket late in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 10: Isaac Haas #44 of the Purdue Boilermakers posts up against Gavin Schilling #34 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Gavin Schilling’s defense was the difference

Before the Purdue game on Saturday evening, Gavin Schilling hadn’t played 20 minutes in a game in almost two years. In fact, he hasn’t recorded 20 minutes in a game since February of 2016.

Just one season after a knee injury, Schilling has been looking for his role on the team and it’s been more of a limited one. As a senior, he likely hoped to be in the starting lineup, but he’s happy to do whatever’s best for the team.

Schilling did just that against Isaac Haas. Not many bigs in the Big Ten have been able to slow down the Boilermakers 7-footer who is lethal within 10 feet of the basket, but he was able to body him and force him further away from the basket than he would have hoped. Not just that, but Schilling didn’t give up much ground nor did he allow any easy shots.

Containing Haas is nearly impossible because of the size he possesses, but with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Nick Ward in foul trouble, Schilling stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the part. He scored seven points, the highest output he’s had in Big Ten play, and he added seven rebounds, two assists and a block.

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