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Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from buzzer-beating win over Minnesota

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Marcus Bingham Jr., right, scores as Minnesota's Charlie Daniels defends during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220112 Msu Minn 059a
Michigan State's Marcus Bingham Jr., right, scores as Minnesota's Charlie Daniels defends during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220112 Msu Minn 059a /
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Michigan State’s Max Christie makes a 3-poitner against Minnesota during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220112 Msu Minn 090a
Michigan State’s Max Christie makes a 3-poitner against Minnesota during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220112 Msu Minn 090a /

2. Max Christie is looking like the Big Ten Freshman of the Year

Earlier in the season, I was a little cautious when talking about Max Christie. I knew he was an elite talent but his struggles were expected. I didn’t want to say his start to the 2021-22 season was “disappointing” because he was just adjusting to the college game, but it took him a little bit to figure it all out.

A handful of Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards and a scorching-hot shooting stretch later and he’s starting to really look like the conference’s best first-year player.

Over the past four games (he did miss the High Point game due to COVID-19), he is shooting 62 percent from the floor and 69 percent from the 3-point line while averaging 16.3 points per game.

Christie looked confident all night long against the Gophers, making 2-of-3 shots from deep and looking basically automatic from mid-range. If he continues to gain confidence and make shots at a high clip, he’s going to run away with the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award.

For the first time this season, I can honestly say he should be leading the race.

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