Spartan Avenue
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Michigan State’s Gabe Brown, center, talks with teammate before the game against Minnesota on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220112 Msu Minn 002a
Michigan State’s Gabe Brown, center, talks with teammate before the game against Minnesota on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.220112 Msu Minn 002a /

1. Does this team want to blow anyone out?

This team plays fast but it appears they do not want to win any game by more than 10-12 points. They have had many opportunities to go on a massive run and blow teams out but then they let off the gas. They lighten up and lose the momentum.

The Spartans were up by 10 points and doing things right on both sides of the floor. Then they got comfortable. They lightened up on the defensive side of the ball and gave the Gophers a glimmer of light that gave them a spark they needed to keep this game close until the end.

They have done this in most games this season. Even games against lower-tier opponents such as Toledo, Oakland, or High Point. They won those games by 13, 12, and 13 points, respectively. Those are games that this team should have won by a minimum of 20 points — if not 25 or 30 points. High Point lost by 44 points to Kentucky, Oakland lost to Alabama by 27, and Toledo lost to Oakland by 21 points.

If Michigan State wants to gain respect back, it needs to start putting together complete games and start beating opponents with a purpose.

They have the potential to beat anyone but they have not shown that they want to blow anyone out. They need to show them what they are made of and start playing with a sense of urgency to beat these lesser opponents and flex their muscles. If they don’t, the country will not take this team seriously come March.

Tune in on Saturday at noon to watch the Spartans take on the Northwestern Wildcats and see if they can win with urgency.

Next. MSU basketball: 5 bold predictions for January. dark

Home/Spartans Basketball