Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from huge BTT win over Wisconsin

Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from huge BTT win over Wisconsin

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 11: Gabe Brown #44 and A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate a win against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: Johnny Davis #1 of the Wisconsin Badgers dribbles against Max Christie #5 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of a Men’s Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan State’s defense won this game

This is something we haven’t been able to say in ages, but Michigan State’s defense was the difference in this game as the suffocating coverage of Johnny Davis and great post defense changed the momentum in this one late.

Davis couldn’t get anything going early on against the Spartans, not scoring his first points until he hit a couple of free throws just two minutes before halftime.

Brad Davison and Chucky Hepburn still got their points but the game plan was perfect and the Spartans didn’t give up many easy buckets like they did to Maryland on Thursday.

This was the first time the defense truly locked down and won a game since the Purdue win a few weeks ago in East Lansing. If this can continue throughout the Big Ten Tournament and into the Big Dance, no one is going to want to face Michigan State.

Michigan State found some confidence on that side of the ball on Friday.

Next. 3 reasons for optimism ahead of Big Ten Tournament. dark

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