Michigan State Basketball: Defense steals show in blowout of Maryland

Michigan State basketball hit a lull on the offensive end, but the defense stole the show in a 69-55 win over the No. 13 team in the country.

Without Josh Langford and Nick Ward in foul trouble for essentially the entire game, Michigan State had no problem dismantling a tough Maryland team in East Lansing, 69-55.

The offense had been the focal point all season long but it was defense on Monday night that stole the show for the Spartans. Michigan State forced 12 turnovers and had nine steals and nine blocks, not allowing anything easy to Bruno Fernando in the post and shutting down the perimeter, for the most part.

Maryland shot just 34 percent from the floor and 35 percent from the 3-point line. The Terrapins couldn’t buy an open shot all night long and that led to some fast-break buckets for the Spartans.

The Spartans got the Terrapins to play their style for most of the game and that’s why an 18-6 lead early on essentially held up as the game went on despite some surges by Maryland.

Worried about the potential departure of Ward and not landing Isaiah Stewart for next season? This game was a prime example of why you shouldn’t be. Sure, Kenny Goins, who will not be around next year, had a great game, but Xavier Tillman played well, Thomas Kithier provided some good minutes off the bench and the team didn’t suffer much offensively.

Ward finished with zero points while being in foul trouble and Tillman made up for it with 10 points, three rebounds and five blocks while Goins had 14 points and 12 boards.

Michigan State improves to 8-0 in Big Ten play and 17-2 overall, extending its lead over Maryland in the standings.

If the Spartans can maintain this defensive effort throughout the season, there may be no stopping them.