2. This team can be dangerous when it’s playing to potential
We saw Michigan State play to its potential for about 30 of the 40 minutes on Thursday night and that’s when the Spartans built a 20-point lead. They still led by double figures with under 10 minutes to go, but they were playing way too passively. They were winding the shot clock down under 10 seconds every time and hoisting up prayers.
Michigan State found a way to hold on despite Maryland catching fire and cutting the lead to two, but when the Spartans were stumbling and fumbling against the press, they were nearly unstoppable against the Terrapins.
A hot Michigan State team built a 20-point lead over Maryland with relative ease.
Obviously Tom Izzo has to work on the end-of-game stuff but when this team is running a smooth half-court offense, getting out and running, and playing some defense, it’s really good.
Unfortunately, we don’t see that consistently enough.