Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from much-needed win over Nebraska

1. Michigan State showed flashes, but consistency is key

Michigan State looked like a team possessed in the second half. The Spartans came out of the locker room to piece together a 17-point lead and they looked like they were just going to run away with this one. They played well offensively throughout but the defense was optional half the time.

Joshua Langford looked like a more complete player, showing up on defense and scoring 15 points. He shot with confidence and wasn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor. Aaron Henry had his best game of the season with 27 points (a career-high) on 10-of-16 shooting. Thomas Kithier had one of his best games, AJ Hoggard looked smooth at the point and the bench was solid.

There were flashes, like when Michigan State extended its lead to 17 after an electric start to the second half, but they were flat when trying to guard Teddy Allen who went off in the final 20 minutes.

Allen and Trey McGowens combined for 43 of Nebraska’s points as they were able to do whatever they wanted on the offensive end which is a problem.

Defensively, this team has a long way to go. There were flashes of elite defense for the Spartans but they struggled more often than not, giving up 77 points to a bad Nebraska team.

These flashes need to be more consistent and if we see the team that opened the second half more often, we’ll see a much, much scarier Michigan State basketball team.