Michigan State Basketball: Bradley win came with MTSU flashbacks

Michigan State basketball barely escaped being upset by another 15-seed in round one as Bradley gave the Spartans all they could handle.

Michigan State, one of the more mentally tough teams this year, played as though it was trying to avoid being upset on Thursday.

Bradley is not Middle Tennessee State, though. The Braves were not making every shot they took and getting every bounce to go their way as Middle Tennessee was that fateful day in 2016. They shot much better than their season average, though, and it had Michigan State on the ropes for much of the game.

Fans were seeing the flashbacks to 2016, on a nervous edge for much of the game. If we’re being honest, the 2016 team led by Denzel Valentine, Matt Costello and Bryn Forbes would have probably blown this Bradley team out of the water.

Looking back at the box score from 2016, MSU had a 55 percent field goal percentage against MTSU, they out-rebounded the Blue Raiders but the only noticeable difference would be MTSU’s ridiculous 3-point percentage. That Michigan State team in 2016 did everything it could do, besides maybe limiting some of its turnovers and playing better defense, but offensively the Spartans gave it their all and that’s what was so frustrating about that game — it seemed every shot MTSU took, it made.

Against Bradley, that wasn’t the case. The Braves shot better than what most fans and analysts expected, but not at a ridiculous rate. The reason this game was so close, was because Michigan State was trying to avoid being another upset story. They were playing not to lose, the whole game it seemed, and not playing loose — they were hesitant. They played as though they thought they were supposed to lose and that’s why the game was so close.

Just looking at the box score, you won’t see much of that. Low amount of turnovers, out-rebounded Bradley by 10 and they shot the ball relatively well, except for a poor 3-point percentage while only missing one free throw. Yet watching the game, it was evident that they were not playing the Michigan State basketball that they had been all year long. It was clear that they were trying to not be another nightmare scenario for Michigan State fans everywhere.

It’s hard to tell what this means for the team.

It could be good, get it out of the system and now they can play loose and go play their brand of basketball. Maybe playing a team they know they can beat in Minnesota, a team they’re familiar with will help with that. Hopefully they won’t be as tense.

But maybe not. Saturday will be huge to see how far Michigan State goes in this tournament. Obviously, if they lose, their time will be done on the first weekend once again. But Michigan State knows it can handle Minnesota. If it plays with its confidence at a high level, as it should after winning the Big Ten Tournament title, it should handle the Gophers again. The Spartans should make it to the Sweet 16 with ease.

Minnesota shot the lights out against Louisville, leading them to their upset. If Minnesota shoots well again, the game will be close. But if Michigan State can at least get their brand of basketball going, play loose, play free and play their game to survive and advance, their path to the Elite Eight should be there. But if they play as they did against Bradley, timid, hesitant and afraid to lose, Michigan State fans will be disappointed.

However, after seeing the fire from Tom Izzo, Matt McQuaid’s clutch 3-point shot and Cassius Winston’s 26-point game, I think Michigan State will figure things out. The Spartans desperately want to survive this first weekend and Saturday we’ll see if they can — which they should.

Side Note: This Izzo yelling at Henry shouldn’t even be a story. I mean come on now, it’s coaching. Players know what they’re going to get before they even commit to Izzo. They yell back at him. They respond to it. They’re challenged. If Henry comes out and puts up 15 points and 10 rebounds against Minnesota, well it’ll show that the challenge was accepted.