Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from tight win at Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Max Christie #5 after scoring the game winning basket late in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 01, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. Michigan State won the game 65-63. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Malik Hall #25 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Max Christie #5 after scoring the game winning basket late in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on February 01, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. Michigan State won the game 65-63. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
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Feb 1, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) reacts after making a three point shot during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) reacts after making a three point shot during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

1. Winning tight games will go a long way in March

I get the frustration from Michigan State fans about blowing a 15-point lead and allowing Maryland to get back into the game. Things like that shouldn’t happen.

But this is the Big Ten. And this is a road game in the Big Ten. Those things happen.

Heck, this Maryland team beat Illinois by 15 points just a couple of weeks ago. Like I said, these things happen in the Big Ten. It’s not a surprise that the game got closer in the second half after the Spartans built a comfortable lead; it’s just the norm in the Big Ten.

However, any time you can win a tight game like this, it’s going to help you in the long run. Don’t believe me? Name one time that a team just cruised all season long with blowout after blowout and just cruised through the NCAA Tournament. You can’t. Having tight games that go down to the buzzer in hostile environments are going to happen. It’s inevitable. But if you can come out on top and find ways to win and not shrink under the pressure, you’re going to be a good team.

Michigan State has been able to win a couple of tight games like Tuesday’s this season and when it comes time for the NCAA Tournament, it’s going to help the Spartans’ mental toughness.