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Michigan State Basketball: Report card for comeback win vs. No. 19 Iowa

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his team during the second half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his team during the second half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (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)
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) /

B+. . G. Senior. MATT MCQUAID

We may need to start calling Matt McQuaid “Matty Ice” but he’ll need to show up more late in big games down the stretch to really earn that nickname. However, he looked like Matty Ice on Thursday night with ice in his veins.

The senior captain had a heck of a finish to what was setting up to be a nightmare offensive performance. He wasn’t making anything in the first half and even midway through the second half, but something clicked and he broke a 50-50 tie with just under 13 minutes left with a huge 3-pointer and then just piled on from there.

McQuaid then extended the Spartans’ lead to seven and then again to 14, effectively ending any Iowa comeback hopes.

You have to give it up to this kid for sticking with it and not giving up on his shot when it wasn’t dropping all night. He finished 3-for-12 from the floor and 3-of-9 from long range but he made the big shots when they mattered. He added three assists and three rebounds and was all over the place on the defensive end yet again, swiping one pass.

Defense continues to be his strength, but he was a clutch offensive performer against Iowa.

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