Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from comfortable FGCU win

After a slow start, Michigan State basketball pulled away and toppled Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday night to give the Spartans their first win.

Tom Izzo wasn’t happy. Despite winning by 24 points over a historically-successful mid-major with upset experience, the Hall of Fame head coach voiced his displeasure for Michigan State’s lack of defense as well as the slower pace of the college basketball game.

No, he wasn’t calling out the officials, he was actually putting the NCAA on blast, stating that the rules it makes officials enforce are ruining the game.

While he had a point, the Spartans still had to finish the job against FGCU, beating the Eagles 106-82 in an offensive battle. There were fouls left and right, but Michigan State found ways to adjust and finished with 77 shot attempts and 23 free throws.

What’d we learn from the Spartans’ win over Florida Gulf Coast?

5. Marcus Bingham Jr. needs more minutes

Though he might be slight of frame, Marcus Bingham Jr. has shown he can be a threat on both ends of the court for Tom Izzo and he could use more minutes to help him get adjusted to the college game by the time Big Ten play rolls around.

In just six minutes against Florida Gulf Coast, Bingham Jr. finished with six points, two rebounds and a block, making a couple of 3-pointers in the process. His ability to stretch the floor is huge and could be a difference-maker once conference play kickstarts.

The lanky freshman is averaging just 3.5 minutes through two contests and has put up six points, two rebounds and two blocks. Imagine what he could do with about 10-15 minutes.