Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout of Minnesota

All Michigan State basketball needed was a win, but the Spartans blew the doors off Minnesota and now head into the Wisconsin game with momentum.

Does anyone else feel like a weight has been lifted off of this team following Saturday afternoon’s blowout win over Minnesota?

Michigan State was riding a three-game losing streak heading into Saturday’s contest, but the Spartans controlled the game from start to finish, sending the Golden Gophers home with a 79-55 defeat.

Effort was the name of the game as well as ball protection and rebounding. This team looked completely different from the previous three losses as the motivation to get back on track was evident — despite a scare in the first half when Kenny Goins went down with an elbow injury.

What’d we learn from the Spartans’ 24-point win over Minnesota?

5. Thomas Kithier needs more minutes

All aboard the Thomas Kithier bandwagon. Get your tickets now because the train is about to leave the station.

The freshman big man filled in for Kenny Goins in a pinch and did more than just stand on the court as a warm body, but he contributed in a big way on both ends. He held his own against Daniel Oturu and Jordan Murphy — two matchups that looked to be a major disadvantage for the Spartans — and he scored six points on the other end.

Kithier showed off his athleticism, sprinting down the other end of the floor for one of his buckets, blowing by defenders and getting wide open under the basket as Foster Loyer found him for an easy two.

Not only did he prove himself worthy of more minutes, but maybe he can see the court for 10-plus minutes per game because he’s a solid addition to the post. This is depth the Spartans didn’t expect to have at the beginning of the year and he provided a spark off the bench.

We may be looking at Matt Costello 2.0.