Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons Spartans will beat UCLA

Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons Spartans will beat UCLA in Vegas Invitational

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 18: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Jr. Clay #4 of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in the first half at Breslin Center on November 18, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Michigan State has been cutting down on turnovers

Nothing quite goes together like Tom Izzo-coached teams and turnovers. Over the years, the Spartans have been turnover-prone, to say the least.

That was the case in the opener against Kansas as well as in the second game against Florida Gulf Coast, and then something clicked on the offensive end. The Spartans weren’t coughing the ball up 15-20 times, instead they were valuing each possession.

That added value put into each possession was evident as the Spartans have finished with less than 10 turnovers in each of the past two games. That’s not something Michigan State fans are used to seeing from Michigan State teams, but it’s a trend that could continue.

Michigan State has seen what it takes to protect the ball, making clean passes and smart decisions.

The Bruins force about 13 turnovers per game but they’re going to have a tough time with a smarter, more effective Michigan State offense.

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