Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from huge win at No. 8 Wisconsin

By Connor Muldowney

MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 21: Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans calls out instruction during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on January 21, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 21: Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans calls out instruction during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on January 21, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

Michigan State basketball went into Madison, looking to make a statement against the No. 8 team in the country. What’d we learn from this one?

Facing its toughest battle of the season on the road, Michigan State basketball needed some key players who struggled against Northwestern to step up — and they did.

Max Christie and Marcus Bingham Jr. bounced back and the Spartans beat No. 8 Wisconsin on the road 86-74. It was the Spartans’ best win of the season and by beating the Badgers, they’re now the top team in the Big Ten with a 6-1 record and 15-3 overall.

Friday night at Wisconsin was a huge test for the Spartans coming off a massive upset loss, and they passed.

What did we learn from Michigan State’s massive win at Wisconsin?

3. Malik Hall is becoming a star off the bench

Watching Malik Hall come off the bench might be a head-scratcher, but it’s clear that Tom Izzo wants a spark from his reserves and he provides that.

Michigan State fell behind early on Friday night and battled back and when the Spartans needed to maintain that momentum before halftime, Malik Hall provided just that. He finished the first half with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting and really gave Michigan State a huge spark.

Hall finished the night with 14 points and eight rebounds and was just an energizer bunny off the bench, grabbing offensive rebounds which led to second-chance points and being the spark plug the Spartans desperately needed.

Having a star on the bench like this is going to help Michigan State a ton on its Big Ten title run this season.

Home/Spartans Basketball