Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from resilient win over Rutgers

5 of 5

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

1. Michigan State is a second-half team

Has it ever been more clear that Michigan State is a second-half team than against Rutgers on Wednesday night?

The Spartans fell behind early on and Rutgers even held a 10-point lead in the first half and an 11-point advantage early in the second half before Michigan State woke up.

Tom Izzo has been the master of adjustments at halftime this season and the Spartans have dominated in the second half over the past four games, leading to four straight wins. In fact, the Spartans out-scored Minnesota by 13 in the second half, Wisconsin by nine, Ohio State by 24 and Rutgers by 18.

It would be nice if Michigan State could come out swinging early and head into the locker room with comfortable leads, but it’s fairly obvious this team thrives in the second half and you can’t really complain if you’re a fan because that’s the half of basketball you want to win.

Over the past two games, specifically, the Spartans have been unbelievable in the second half on both ends of the floor. In fact, they have combined to out-score Ohio State and Rutgers 83-41 in the second in the last two wins.

Next. MSU basketball: Game-by-game predictions for February. dark

When Michigan State inevitably starts a game slow, don’t give up because a comeback is likely.

Home/Spartans Basketball