Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from sloppy win over Nebraska

1. Gabe Brown is really starting to become ‘that dude’

When the season started, I’ll admit I was hesitant to really trust this team led by Gabe Brown who had spent his entire career being a complementary piece and not a focal point.

Through two-plus months, I’ll admit I was wrong.

Gabe looks like a true leader and has gone from goofy bench dancer to sparkplug in just a couple of seasons. It feels like just yesterday that Tom Izzo was screaming at him after a mistake against UCLA in the 2021 NCAA Tournament that drew some negative national attention, but he has only grown from that, becoming one of the best players in the Big Ten.

Still, Michigan State hadn’t had that one true go-to or star player present himself consistently all season long, but it’s starting to look like Brown is that dude.

Izzo said after the game that this was Gabe’s best game in a Spartan uniform and it would be tough to argue that. He was playing solid defense, scoring when the offense was stagnant, and showing no fear on fast-breaks and with the shot clock winding down. His confidence is skyrocketing and that’s exactly what this Michigan State team needs.

An improving Max Christie and confident Gabe ensures that Michigan State is going to be in the Big Ten title race until the very end.