Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from dominant win over Wisconsin

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 17: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with his teammate Rocket Watts #2 after receiving a commemorative ball from Former Spartan Mateen Cleaves for breaking his Big Ten assist record after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Breslin Center on January 17, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 17: Brad Davison #34 of the Wisconsin Badgers drives to the basket and draws a foul from Aaron Henry #11 of the Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on January 17, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. Closing strong is as important as starting fast

Michigan State jumped out to a big lead over Wisconsin on Friday night, taking a 10-2 lead in the first few minutes. The Spartans kept that momentum, building a 15-point lead by halftime and then extending that to 25 in the second half.

The Spartans had moments of weakness, allowing a few runs from the Badgers, but they were consistent for the most part, dominating all aspects of the game.

With about six minutes left, Michigan State held its largest lead at 67-42 but the Badgers clawed their way back, piecing together a 13-0 run. Wisconsin made the final score look much more respectable than how the game actually played out and that had a lot to do with the lack of that killer instinct in the final minutes.

Michigan State learned that closing strong is every bit as important as getting out to a quick start and if the Spartans were able to do both on Friday, the game would have likely finished with a 30-point difference.

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These final six minutes were incredibly disappointing and while it might be ridiculous to point to something negative after a 12-point win over a hot Wisconsin team, a poor final stretch like that could lead into the next game.

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