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Michigan State Basketball: 3 observations from hard-fought win over Oakland

By Nate Rhoades

Dec 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) guard Max Christie (5) forward Malik Hall (25) and forward Gabe Brown (44) walk to the bench during the second half against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) guard Max Christie (5) forward Malik Hall (25) and forward Gabe Brown (44) walk to the bench during the second half against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball took the floor for the first time in 10 days to take on the Grizzlies of Oakland. This was a hard-fought battle by both teams.

Michigan State was able to battle the Grizzlies and escape with a 90-78 win. Both teams were coming off long stretches of inactivity a game and both teams left it all out on the court.

The Spartans took the lead early and never lost it. However, this game always felt like Oakland could put together a run and get momentum to take the lead and possibly win it.

Though it always felt like the Grizzlies were going to make a run, the Spartans never let that happen and held on. Michigan State played a solid game and plenty of good things happened.

What did we see in this one?

3. This team does not need a go-to scorer after all

I know we have all mentioned how this team is in need of a go-to scorer. The Spartans do not have one guy to who they can give the ball and let him go to work as we have seen on so many other Spartan teams. There is no Denzel Valentine, Cassius Winston, Draymond Green, Keith Appling, or Kalin Lucas. But that doesn’t matter. This team does not need a go-to scorer.

This is not the only game where the Spartans have had even scoring production across the board. If one player is struggling to score, there is another one to step up. This was the case early in this one. Gabe Brown was struggling to see his shot fall and others like Max Christie and Malik Hall stepped up.

Another reason why this team does not need a go-to scorer is that every player on the court has earned a good amount of trust. They are balanced and team-oriented. No one is concerned about getting a certain number of shots. They are so willing to give up a good shot for someone else to get a great one.

This team moves the ball well and had 28 assists on 37 made shots. That is fantastic team play and ball movement. The Spartans will only continue to get better and play like a complete team not in need of a go-to scorer because they trust that anyone can step up at any given night.

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