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Michigan State Basketball: 3 observations from sluggish win over High Point

By Nate Rhoades

Dec 29, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Joey Hauser (10) dribbles the ball against High Point Panthers forward Zack Austin (55) in the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Joey Hauser (10) dribbles the ball against High Point Panthers forward Zack Austin (55) in the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) tries to calm down head coach Tom Izzo after getting a technical foul 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 guard Tyson Walker (2) tries to calm down head coach Tom Izzo after getting a technical foul during the second half against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Lack of energy kills this team

This team is led in the energy department by Gabe Brown and Malik Hall. When those two players are not bringing the intensity and are playing lackadaisical, then the rest of the team plays down to that level. However, when they are high in energy and get the team hyped, the Spartans play up to that level.

This team can survive this season without a go-to scorer with the amount of depth it possesses. The Spartans have a handful of players averaging eight or more points. What they cannot have is an absence of energy providers.

This team needs that spark to thrive and be the best. They need someone like Draymond Green was for that 2011 team, or Denzel Valentine was for the 2016 team — someone who brings the energy each and every game. When they have an energy leader, this team is at its best.

Who will step up and be this player? Brown has to be this type of leader. This is one of the reasons he was voted captain for this team. Bring the energy and this team is dangerous.

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