Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from runaway win over Purdue

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 08: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans loses control of the ball next to Aaron Wheeler #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 21: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Jaevin Cumberland #21 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the first half at Breslin Center on December 21, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Matt McQuaid’s defense was the difference

Not many players in the country could do to Carsen Edwards what Matt McQuaid did on Tuesday night. He had been one of the nation’s highest scorers, averaging 25.5 points per game heading into the game, but McQuaid stymied the elite bucket-getter, holding him to just 11 points on 3-of-16 shooting.

Edwards hadn’t been held under 20 points since a Dec. 1 matchup with Michigan when he finished with 19 on 7-for-21 shooting. It was also just the third time this season he was kept under 20 points and first time under 15.

McQuaid was basically a shadow on Edwards all night long, forcing him into some uncomfortable situations and forcing him into five turnovers.

Aaron Henry, too, checked Edwards a bit, shooting that the Spartans don’t exactly need Josh Langford to guard each opponent’s best player. This also proves that the Spartans have 2-3 lockdown defenders which will come in handy come March.

It’s crazy how far McQuaid has come on both ends of the floor but he continues to improve in his final year in East Lansing.

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