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Michigan State Basketball: Report card for comfortable win over Maryland

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 21: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during a game against the Maryland Terrapins in the second half at Breslin Center on January 21, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 21: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during a game against the Maryland Terrapins in the second half at Breslin Center on January 21, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – JANUARY 17: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against Isaac Copeland Jr. #14 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – JANUARY 17: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against Isaac Copeland Jr. #14 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Bench: B+

It wasn’t an overly productive offensive performance from this group, but guys like Xavier Tillman and Kyle Ahrens played well and even Thomas Kithier chipped in some quality minutes.

Gabe Brown had another decent game even though he didn’t play all that much, hitting a three and blocking a shot in five minutes of action.

Let’s get back to the other guys, though.

Tillman led the way with 10 points and five blocks to go along with three rebounds and two steals on 3-of-9 shooting. He wasn’t making his shots, but he was a monster on the defensive end and made a difference there. He bounced back after a rough game against Nebraska.

Ahrens finally returned after a two-game absence, chipping in 11 minutes and scoring two points on a nifty reverse layup. He had two assists and a rebound but didn’t really need to do much as he was being eased back into action.

Kithier played five minutes and scored four points with two rebounds, showing he can add something to this team when guys like Nick Ward, Tillman or Kenny Goins are in foul trouble.

Lastly, Foster Loyer played just four minutes, didn’t attempt a shot and had an assist and a rebound. He needs to become a 10-12 minute per game guy for this team to have success down the stretch.

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