Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from slim victory over Wisconsin

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second half at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Although mentally drained, distractions can’t keep this team down

As explained on the previous page, Miles Bridges blocked out “cheater” chants which rained down on him at the Kohl Center on Sunday afternoon to hit some clutch free throws that put Wisconsin away for good and gave Michigan State the outright conference crown.

Not many players can keep that type of composure with the game on the line. Not many players are Miles.

When the game began, Spartan fans were worried that the team may come out flat given the off-court distractions, but they raced out to an 8-0 lead before Wisconsin chipped away to get right back into it. Throughout the rest of the game, it seemed like Michigan State, namely Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr., were mentally drained. They just didn’t seem locked in.

Tom Izzo even stated in his post-game presser that the distractions have been weighing on these guys and it’ll be good to get some time off.

The distractions are prevalent, but the Spartans aren’t letting it affect them. Heck, 12 wins in a row and an outright Big Ten title with all that’s been going in is quite the feat.

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