Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout of Minnesota

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 09: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket with Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 09: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball and draws a foul from Amir Coffey #5 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half at Breslin Center on February 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Matt McQuaid must look for his shot more often

When Matt McQuaid looks for his shot, more often than not, Michigan State wins. The Spartans are 10-1 this season when the senior captain shoots the ball at least seven times and in those games, he’s averaging 11.5 points per game — up from his season average of 8.3.

There’s a reason Tom Izzo recruited McQuaid, and it’s not because he was a lockdown defender — that’s something he developed over his time in East Lansing — but because he could shoot lights out. He needs to find his own shot more often like he did against Minnesota which led to an 18-point game, his best scoring outburst of the year.

McQuaid has also shown the ability to drive and either get a mid-range shot or floater up or kick it out, which has helped his offensive game.

Michigan State needs to make McQuaid a bigger part of the offense because when he’s on his game, there’s no stopping him. When he catches fire, not many defenders can get their hands up in time because he’s a walking heat-check.

Getting him to find his shot on a regular basis is a different story.

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