Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from win over Charleston Southern

Michigan State basketball picked up its third win of the season with a blowout of Charleston Southern at the Breslin Center. What’d we learn?

Coaches are always weary of teams coming off emotional wins — or weeks, in Michigan State’s case — but the Spartans had no trouble with Charleston Southern on Monday evening with a 94-46 win at the Breslin Center.

Another bright spot had to be Xavier Tillman following up the worst game of his career against Seton Hall with a 21-point, nine-rebound performance. He put up a career-high in scoring and looked like a completely different player against the Buccaneers, dominating in the post.

The Spartans didn’t shoot the ball that well, but the defense showed up to play, holding a second mid-major opponent under 50 points in as many tries this season.

What’d we learn from the Spartans’ third win of the year?

3. When consistency comes, Rocket Watts is going to be scary

Defense is not an issue for Rocket Watts. He can defend with the best of them, but when the consistency comes on the offensive end, the freshman guard is going to be scary-good.

There was a point in the second half when he gained some steam with a couple of buckets, but then he missed the second half of a Flagrant I free throw and then had a 3-point miss and a terrible floater attempt that caromed off the backboard and didn’t sniff the rim. He is lacking a little confidence on offense, and that was evidenced by his 4-for-14 shooting.

Watts still finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

When he becomes a little more consistent on offense, the Spartans are going to see the young man flourish into an all-conference type of talent.