Michigan State Basketball: 3 quick reactions to BTT win over Maryland

Michigan State basketball played Maryland on Thursday after finishing the regular season against the Terps. How’d the Spartans fare?

Michigan State’s Big Ten Tournament trek started on Thursday against Maryland who they have beaten three times now this season. The Spartans controlled the game until the last three minutes when turnovers and pressure made it a close call for the Spartans.

Maryland started to press the Spartans after every made basket to crawl back into the game and that they did. The Spartans were able to overcome the adversity and pull off another close call to get one game closer to raising a banner this season.

What were my reactions after this game?

3. Breaking the press needs work

Michigan State was up by double digits with three minutes to go. The Spartans were up 12 points and then disaster happened. After every made basket Maryland made they got into a full-court press. This is what broke the Spartans. Bad pass after bad pass inbounding the ball Maryland started to get momentum and get back into the game.

The Maryland defense was stingy and was able to force seven turnovers in the last three minutes of the game. These Spartans were not making good decisions inbounding the ball. They were lobbing the ball. They were not setting screens for their teammates making it difficult for them to get any separation from the defense.

The Spartans have to figure out how to break the press. If they don’t. this is an easy way for their opponents to get up big. All they have to do is start the game with a press defense and the Spartans will dig themselves a hole they won’t be able to overcome. Figuring out how to get past half court in these situations is crucial for Michigan State to continue to advance.