Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from painful win over High Point

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 01: Gabe Brown #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at Breslin Center on December 1, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Gabe Brown showed a killer instinct

With the game tight and Michigan State needing some juice on the offensive end of the court in the second half, Gabe Brown caught fire.

Much like Aaron Henry did down the stretch a season ago, Brown put the team on his back and really closed the door on a High Point upset with a 3-point barrage, and his hot shooting late really deserves some praise. He wasn’t afraid to be ‘the guy’ and showed a killer instinct by scoring at will down the stretch.

Tom Izzo didn’t seem too happy with Gabe’s all-around play after the game when talking to a BTN reporter because of his slow start and poor defense, but he has to realize that the senior wing was the reason the Spartans were able to pull away late. He had a career game with 24 points, seven rebounds, and two steals while hitting just about everything in the final 10 minutes.

Michigan State hasn’t needed a guy to really step up and be ‘that dude’ this year, but Gabe showed that he has the ability to do so when the Spartans need it.

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