Michigan State Basketball: 3 quick reactions to grind out win against Maryland

Feb 1, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) makes a move on Maryland Terrapins guard Fatts Russell (4) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Tyson Walker (2) makes a move on Maryland Terrapins guard Fatts Russell (4) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 1, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) shoots during the first 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 guard A.J. Hoggard (11) shoots during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

1. Never giving up

These Spartans are just finding ways to win, or are at least putting themselves in the positions to try to win. This Maryland victory is just another one-possession win. Including this game, the Spartans have five games that have been decided by one possession and they have won three of those. They have two other games that were decided by two possessions.

These Spartans are just willing themselves to the finish line. Even in games where they should not have even been close to winning, they have battled and not given up. In their two losses decided by one possession against both Northwestern and Illinois, they had to battle back being down by double-digits.

In these two games, the Spartans should not have even been close. They were turning the ball over at a high rate, not rebounding, or making their shots. However they dug in and gave themselves a chance of winning, and they did that by locking up on defense and battling.

This Spartan team knows how to win and they battle to the end. They will be a dangerous team in close contests because they have been through so many close ones.