Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from huge road win at Penn State

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 04: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans talks to Mady Sissoko #22 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half of the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Breslin Center on December 4, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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Dec 7, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts towards guard Pierre Brooks II (1) during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

1. This team has some serious grit

I’m not even going to lie to you, I expected Michigan State to lose on Wednesday night. The Spartans were fresh off of two losses to Notre Dame and Northwestern, both teams that are much less talented than Michigan State.

It just felt like the season was in danger of spiraling out of control.

Michigan State responded with a heck of a finish to its first half and an even better second half, out-scoring the Nittany Lions in the final 20 minutes by nine after trailing by nine in the first half.

The Spartans showed some serious grit on Wednesday night and won a game that no one expected them to win. This is why Tom Izzo is a Hall of Famer because not many teams can keep a positive mindset after losing two really ugly games to less talented teams.

Grittiness is carrying this team right now and the Spartans went from fringe tourney team to potential top-five team in the Big Ten in just a few days.

Next. 5 bold predictions for MSU basketball in December. dark

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