Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from monster win over Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 and Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a 77-70 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 and Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a 77-70 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Thomas Kithier #15 of the Michigan State Spartans grabs a rebound in the second half during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Thomas Kithier #15 of the Michigan State Spartans grabs a rebound in the second half during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Freshmen didn’t fear the big stage

Michigan State played just three freshmen on Sunday afternoon as Foster Loyer and Marcus Bingham Jr. were kept in reserve.

Aaron Henry got the start again while Gabe Brown played five minutes off the bench and Thomas Kithier added 11 of his own. None of them went off for double-digit scoring outbursts, but they each looked comfortable and unfazed on the big stage which is a good sign for the future.

Henry was in foul trouble for a good chunk of the afternoon, but hit a nice floater early on and then added two clutch free throws late to finish with four points and he had two rebounds and two assists. He is a menace on the glass when he crashes.

Brown didn’t do all that much when he was in there but he did record a block and had a goaltending call go against him as well, but that was his sole mistake.

Lastly, Kithier looked great running the floor and probably could have had more than two points if Cassius Winston forced the issue, but he played the right way and slowed things down to avoid sloppy ball. The freshman big finished with two points, three rebounds and a big block and continues to provide solid minutes off the bench.

These freshmen are set up for bright futures, especially in this rivalry.

Home/Spartans Basketball