Michigan State Basketball: 3 thoughts from sluggish win over Northwestern

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 11: Jaden Akins #3 and A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate in the first half of the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on December 11, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 11: Tyson Walker #2 of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on December 11, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. The ability to finish

This is the second game in a row where Michigan State did not play well throughout but it dug deep and finished strong. This was led by Gabe Brown’s three-point shooting in the second but the defense also showed the ability to shut down vital players.

Boo Buie only had 12 points in the game but he needed to work extra hard for those points. He was nearly a non-factor. Buie is one of Northwestern’s primary scorers, especially late in games.

The Spartans are learning from their tough matchups earlier in the season and learning how to finish the game strong. It does not matter how you are playing; put that behind you and finish. This will go a long way when they are in the middle of Big Ten play and the game is on the line.

The Spartans are showing they can win while being up big but also showing they can win from behind needing to battle back into the game after being down by 13 points.

This will serve them well.

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