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Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from blowout win over Northwestern

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a second half three point basket while playing the Northwestern Wildcats at the Breslin Center on January 29, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 79-50. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a second half three point basket while playing the Northwestern Wildcats at the Breslin Center on January 29, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 79-50. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball hosted Northwestern for a Wednesday evening battle in East Lansing. What’d we learn from this battle of first vs. worst?

A 16-2 start to the game was quickly erased by a 13-2 Northwestern run and it looked like it would be one of those tightly-contested games against a lesser opponent that Michigan State is known for. But Michigan State pulled away in the second half with a 79-50 win.

The Spartans got up for the first five minutes of the game, but fell asleep for about a 10-minute stretch and then extended their lead back to 11 by halftime.

Michigan State continued that hot stretch in the second half with a 35-point lead and everyone seemingly getting into the action but the Spartans finished the game with a 29-point win in a game that probably should have been decided by 40.

What’d we learn from Wednesday’s Northwestern game?

3. The defense continues to improve

Michigan State’s defense has been impressive lately and that continued against Northwestern, holding the Wildcats to just 35 percent shooting and 16 percent from deep.

Not only that, but the Spartans stole nine passes, forced 15 Northwestern turnovers and blocked seven shots. If it wasn’t for a make by Northwestern with about five seconds left, the Spartans would have held the Wildcats under 50 points and this is the second straight opponent held under 60 points and the fourth straight under 70. Michigan State has allowed more than 70 points just one time in the last 10 games.

Gabe Brown has improved tremendously, Aaron Henry has been solid all year on that end, Marcus Bingham Jr. stepped up in the post and Xavier Tillman is an energizer bunny down low. This defense is getting better by the game and Northwestern found that out.

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