Michigan State Basketball: 3 quick thoughts from win over Loyola Chicago

Michigan State basketball had a tough first matchup in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday. In fact, all of the Spartans’ games will be tough because all eight teams that are in the tournament this year were in the NCAA March Madness tournament last spring. These teams know what it takes to win.

In their first game, the Spartans played a tough Loyola Chicago Ramblers team led by Lucas Williamson and Braden Norris. They had 16 and nine points, respectively, but were not quite able to hold off the Spartans from East Lansing.

The Spartans turned the ball over a ton in this one but still managed to finish strong and come out with a 63-61 victory.

What did we see in this one?

3. Marcus Bingham is an All-Big Ten big

Marcus Bingham continues to shine as a starter for the Spartans. We, here at Spartan Avenue, will continue to talk about Bingham in the reactions to the games until he isn’t worthy of one. However, up until this point he has been the Spartans’ best player this season.

He had 11 points, nine rebounds, and a career-high seven blocks. Bingham is a force on the defensive end. He is so good and timing his jumps in order to alter the shot or even block the shot. He is the Spartans’ best defender this season and their best big down on the block.

Tom Izzo has mentioned he wants to see Bingham settle down on the block and finish strong, something he has not done consistently until this year. This was shown in this game against the Ramblers. He was a force down low and had the most important play of the game.

With 7 seconds left Bingham set a high screen for Walker and rolled down low. Walker was able to pull both defenders on him and lofted it up to where no defender could get to it. All Bingham had to do was go up and get it. That he did. He finished the game with a smooth alley-oop and the game-winner.

Bingham has shown he is the most improved player from last season and is proving he is worthy of being an All-Big Ten big.