Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from important win over Maryland

Michigan State basketball built a huge lead and had some hiccups, but beat Maryland to win its 20th game of the season. What’d we learn?

What a poetic ending to a tough season as Steven Izzo checked in for the seniors to close out the final seconds and stole the ball to wind out the clock as Michigan State basketball beat Maryland for the second time this year, 77-67.

It wasn’t the easiest win despite building a 20-point lead in the first half as Maryland cut it to three in the second half, but Michigan State found a way to close out and pick up its 20th win.

Michigan State now heads in the Big Ten Tournament with a sliver of momentum and Tom Izzo has the monkey off his back with win No. 663.

Let’s see if this train can pick up some steam next week. What’d we learn?

3. Defense still leaves something to be desired

As the game started, Michigan State jumped out to an 18-1 lead and it looked like the Spartans were going to cruise to an easy win and have one of the best defensive performances of the season.

Michigan State was stymying the Terrapins defensively as they had just one point through the first nine minutes and still somehow finished with 26 at halftime.

The poor defense continued in the final 20 minutes as the Spartans weren’t guarding the perimeter well, fouling too much, and just giving up easy shots to allow the Terps to pull within three points with under 10 minutes to play. Maryland scored one point in the first nine minutes and then 66 in the final 31. The defense needs to maintain that momentum for 40 minutes.

We did get to see what this team is capable of defensively in the first 10 minutes, but it has to be more consistent.