Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from big win at Ohio State

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes battles for a rebound with Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Michigan State defeated Ohio State 86-77. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 5: Kyle Ahrens #0 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with a teammate after Michigan State defeated Ohio State 86-77 on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

4. Kyle Ahrens is surprisingly clutch

This is something I never expected to type out this season, but Kyle Ahrens is proving time and time again to be a clutch performer.

Filling in for an injured Josh Langford, Ahrens has been a solid contributor on the wing, but he’s mostly in there for defense and the occasional open jump shot. He can drive to the hoop and score, but that’s not really what Tom Izzo wants him to do. He’s more athletic than Matt McQuaid, but plays a similar style.

Still, when no one expects it, he rises to the occasion. With the Spartans trailing by one with about 10 minutes to go, he snagged a huge offensive rebound on a Cassius Winston missed 3-pointer and on that same possession, drove to the hole and slammed an open dunk to take the lead.

Then again with the Spartans up by just three with about 2:30 to go, he rebounded a Kenny Goins miss and put it back up and in to give the Spartans a five-point lead — an insurmountable lead at this point in the game.

Dating back to the Florida game, Ahrens has shown he’s not afraid of the big moment and usually comes in clutch for this team when it needs someone to step up.

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