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

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

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 29: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Naz Reid #0 of the LSU Tigers during the first half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. Michigan State needs Goins, McQuaid to wake up

While there were plenty of positives to take from Michigan State’s 17-point win over LSU, there was one negative and it’s actually a fairly large one.

Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins struggled on the offensive end and neither have been quite the same threats as they were near the end of the regular season and Big Ten Tournament.

In fact, Goins has been struggling ever since the Big Ten Tournament title game and while he’s made a couple of threes in each of the past two games, he’s just 4-for-19 from 3-point range in the Big Dance while making only 6-of-25 shots from the floor. He’s been ice-cold and Michigan State needs him to regain form if it’s going to upset Duke.

McQuaid has been slightly better, but ever since going off against Michigan in the Big Ten title game, he’s 4-of-12 shooting from 3-point range. He needs to step up as well and get back to being more of a threat from distance like he has been all year.

These two have been cold on offense and yet the Spartans are still winning games by double-figures, but they need to step up and be seniors on the biggest stage Sunday vs. Duke.

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