Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from critical win at Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE – JANUARY 17: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Glynn Watson Jr. #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

3. No question about it, Matt McQuaid is an elite defender

Another game, another tough assignment for Matt McQuaid. The senior captain has been tasked with stopping some of the Big Ten’s most prolific scorers and he made life miserable for James Palmer Jr.

Though Palmer Jr. did finish with 24 points to lead the Cornhuskers, he was held to six points until well into the second half and he added a lot in garbage time and at the free throw line. He shot just 6-for-21 from the floor and will likely be having nightmares about McQuaid and that airtight defense for the remainder of the season.

Just last week, McQuaid held the conference’s leading scorer, Carsen Edwards, to just 11 points on 3-of-16 shooting and he stymied yet another top scorer, limiting him to just late buckets.

McQuaid was in Palmer Jr.’s face all night long and you could tell the senior guard was frustrated. He was missing his shots with hands in his dome and couldn’t seem to free himself for an open look. McQuaid blanketed him all night and that led to one of his worst games of the season.

It’s time to start crediting McQuaid for having an elite defensive game.

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