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Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from disappointing loss to Penn State

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 04: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against Jamari Wheeler #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first half of the game at the Breslin Center on February 4, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 04: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against Jamari Wheeler #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first half of the game at the Breslin Center on February 4, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State basketball lost another disappointing game, this time at home to No. 22 Penn State. What’d we learn from the loss?

Cassius Winston and Tom Izzo talked to the press following an inexplicable loss at Wisconsin about getting off to strong starts and playing 37 good minutes of basketball. We didn’t see that transpire on Tuesday night as the Spartans dropped a home game to No. 22 Penn State 75-70.

Disappointing doesn’t even begin to describe this team’s play lately, but it’s not like the Spartans didn’t have a number of chances to win.

The most crushing aspect was Cassius drawing an and-one with 11 seconds left but missing the free throw that would have tied it and then the ensuing 3-pointer that would have also knotted the game up. It was an all-around tough night for the green and white.

What’d we learn from Tuesday night’s ranked battle?

3. Marcus Bingham Jr. showed flashes

There have been a few games this season in which Marcus Bingham Jr. has flashed incredible potential. Tuesday night was one of those games.

Although he came off the bench and didn’t get a ton of minutes, Bingham Jr. was a breath of fresh air in the lineup. He didn’t dominate on either end of the floor, but there was a stretch in the second half when he ignited a Michigan State comeback with a put-back jam, strong rebounding and defense.

Bingham Jr. finished with five points, five rebounds and three blocks.

The sophomore big man has limitless potential that Tom Izzo has barely tapped into yet, but he may be a year about about 25-30 pounds away from that.

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