Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from crucial road win over Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a call during the second half of a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Rutgers Athletic Center on November 30, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 78-67. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images,) /

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Michigan State basketball went into Piscataway and escaped with a big win over a pesky Rutgers team. What did we learn on Friday night?

It was quite the win for Michigan State over Rutgers on Friday night. The Spartans were able to overcome a raucous — yes, at Rutgers — home crowd which accounted for the Scarlet Knights’ first sellout since 1997.

Michigan State went on to win, 78-67, and begin conference play with a 1-0 record. The Spartans have to feel good about their start to Big Ten action, especially on the road. Next up, though, will be a tough home game against 14th-ranked Iowa.

What did we learn from the Spartans’ big win over Rutgers on Friday?

5. Defense was strong but it still misses Matt McQuaid

Giving up over 80 points for the first time since FGCU earlier in the week, Michigan State needed to stymy the Rutgers offense and a red-hot Geo Baker, and it did just that.

The Spartans got Baker into foul trouble early on and held him to just 4-of-13 shooting and 10 points. He was the main offensive threat heading into the game, and the Spartans, even without Matt McQuaid, were able to shut him down, for the most part.

Baker and fellow starting guard Peter Kiss combined to shoot just 8-for-25 and the Spartans held the Scarlet Knights to just 67 points on their home court on 37 percent shooting from the field and 31 percent from 3-point range.

The defense was strong, but Matt McQuaid is still missed as fatigue was getting to this group late in the game as they were trying to switch on picks and shut down the three.

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