Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from big win over Texas

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Tom Izzo (R) of the Michigan State Spartans and his team pose after winning the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament against the Texas Longhorns at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michigan State defeated Texas 78-68. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Jase Febres #13 of the Texas Longhorns during the championship game of the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michigan State defeated Texas 78-68. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

4. Turnovers continue to be a problem

Michigan State had eight turnovers, seven turnovers and 12 turnovers in its previous three games but Texas made sure the Spartans worked for every possession.

It wasn’t even all on Texas’ defense — the Spartans were just sloppy. It seemed like all progress that was made before this game (12 turnovers per game average) was thrown out the window. The Spartans coughed the ball up a mind-boggling 24 times which is incredible if you think about the 19-point comeback and 10-point win.

Sure, Texas is an athletic team that makes opponents work and can suffocate defensively, but the Spartans have to be smarter with the ball. Cassius Winston was looking for the home run play too often, finishing with seven turnovers on his own, and even Kenny Goins was terrible with the ball in his hands, turning it over five times.

Michigan State couldn’t find any consistency in that regard on the offensive side of the ball and it led to many wasted possessions. If The Spartans cut these turnovers in half, at the very least, the Spartans win by 20.

Against a team like Kansas or Duke, these turnovers will be the difference between wins and ugly losses.

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