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

By Nate Rhoades

Nov 12, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan StateÕs bench erupts on a shot in the second half players are Tyson Walker(2), AJ Hoggard(11) Max Christie(5) and Gave Brown(44) at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan StateÕs bench erupts on a shot in the second half players are Tyson Walker(2), AJ Hoggard(11) Max Christie(5) and Gave Brown(44) at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks with guard Max Christie (5) in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks with guard Max Christie (5) in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Max Christie breaks out of his slump

Max Christie is a heralded freshman for these Spartans. He is probably Michigan State’s best defender and is usually tasked to guard the best guard on the court.

With this, Christie has mentioned his slump has just been because he has been trying to adjust to the Big Ten play while also being tasked with the most minutes per night and trying to defend the best guard. This wears on the players and over time; he hit a slump.

Christie was able to see the ball go through the hoop and score a team-high of 16 points. He made all three of his deep shots while making 4-for-6 overall on the floor. He also made five free throws of his six attempts. The Spartans set up plays for Christie and he delivered to get out of this slump.

Christie has been a Big Ten Freshman of the Week five different times this season. With Thursday’s performance and if he continues to play the way he did against Maryland, he’ll continue to prove why he was Big Ten Freshmen of the Week and could potentially be the Big Ten Freshman of the Tournament (I don’t think it is an actual award but he could win it anyways with this play).

We’ve seen plenty of Tom Izzo freshmen start to break out during the tournament and in March and this could just be another young player having his breakthrough performance this March.

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