Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from clutch Sweet 16 win over LSU

Michigan State basketball won its first Sweet 16 game since 2014-15, sending the Spartans to the Elite Eight. What’d we learn?

If you’re one of the fans who chanted “we want Duke” following Michigan State’s dominant win over LSU, just be careful what you wish for.

Michigan State did dominate LSU from start to finish — outside of a short stretch to start the second half — but that doesn’t mean it’s ready to take on, and beat, the Blue Devils.

Michigan State got the job done, but what’d we learn from the LSU win?

5. Gabe Brown can be nice spark off the bench

Who would have thought Gabe Brown would come in and score 15 off the bench in a huge game to send Michigan State to the Elite Eight? If you saw that coming, you need to buy a lottery ticket immediately because Brown had played a total of 18 minutes in two NCAA Tournament games before Friday’s contest.

The freshman wing had himself a game, scoring 15 points with four big 3-pointers and a nice floater from the baseline, also making 1-of-2 free throws. He looked like a difference-maker off the bench and as long as he can have that green light from long range, it gives defenses another player to worry about.

No more double-teaming Nick Ward and putting an extra focus on Cassius Winston because guys like Brown have shown they can come off the bench to score in bunches.

If he continues this play off the bench, Michigan State will be in good shape.