Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Penn State

Michigan State basketball marched into Happy Valley and escaped with a 15-point win over Penn State. What did we learn on Sunday night?

Six games, six wins. Michigan State is now 6-0 in Big Ten play and 15-2 overall after beating Penn State in Happy Valley on Sunday. Tom Izzo was unhappy with his team’s performance, but not many squads can be down two players who have started this season and still win by 71-56 on the road.

The Spartans have been lights out in Big Ten play and that continued with a dominating performance against the Nittany Lions.

Even on a night when Cassius Winston didn’t have his best game and Josh Langford and Kyle Ahrens didn’t play, the Spartans looked Big Ten title-worthy.

What’d we learn from Michigan State’s blowout win over Penn State?

5. Gabe Brown can do more than just shoot, score

Watching Sunday’s game, I was surprised to see Gabe Brown on the floor for an extensive period of time. The true freshman forward was only 1-for-5 from the floor which is off from his usual sharp-shooting self, but he added four rebounds and played solid defense in 21 minutes — a career-high.

Playing more than he ever has before, Tom Izzo must have seen his defense improve before his eyes as well since he kept Brown on the floor. He didn’t get lost as much as he did in his previous contests on the defensive end and stayed in front of his man, using that length to his advantage.

Brown also showed that the stage wasn’t too big for him, going turnover-less in 21 minutes and adding an assist to his name. He was calm, cool and collected but probably wishes he could have made his shots.

The freshman wing proved he can do more than just shoot and that adds to the Spartans’ depth down the line.