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Michigan State Basketball: 3 quick reactions from clutch win over Minnesota

By Nate Rhoades

Nov 20, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans player Max Christie (5) sets up for a shot from the corner at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans player Max Christie (5) sets up for a shot from the corner at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /
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From left, Michigan State’s Jaden Akins, Max Christie and Malik Hall pressure Minnesota’s Eylijah Stephens on a shot during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220112 Msu Minn 225a
From left, Michigan State’s Jaden Akins, Max Christie and Malik Hall pressure Minnesota’s Eylijah Stephens on a shot during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220112 Msu Minn 225a /

2. MSU must be stronger on the boards

It’s not very often that Michigan State does not win the rebounding battle. The Spartans are normally strong down low and they limit their opponent to minimal offensive rebounds. However, this team has been struggling to grab defensive boards and is allowing opponents to have several second-chance opportunities.

Minnesota had 12 offensives rebounds in this game for a total of 17 second-chance points. That is what kept the Gophers in the game. If the Spartans would have hustled to grab those long rebounds or put a body on somebody to box out, this game may have been lopsided.

This is not the first time we have seen this sloppy rebounding play.

When Michigan State played Baylor it was the Bears’ ability to grab offensive rebounds in the second half that let them pull away in Atlantis. The same happened in the season opener against Kansas. These Spartans have such a high ceiling but it starts with keeping opponents off the offensive boards and limiting second-chance opportunities.

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