Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from huge win over No. 23 Rutgers

1. This team is going to contend until the end

When Malik Hall went down with another injury against Illinois and never returned, it felt like Michigan State’s season was hanging in the balance. Would the Spartans be able to stay afloat for a second time without one of their most important players?

It felt like the answer was no as a lead melted away against Illinois when he went down and the Spartans lost by nine on the road.

But then Michigan State hung with Purdue and probably should have won that game over the conference’s best team and the No. 3 squad in the country. And on Thursday night, Michigan State shook off that heartbreaking loss and took down the second-best team in the conference, No. 23 Rutgers, by 13 points.

As long as the rest of the team stays healthy and guard play remains a massive strength, Michigan State is going to be in the Big Ten title race until the very end.

The conference champion may very well have 5-6 losses this season and that means Michigan State is far from out of it. Thursday’s win was proof.

Once Hall comes back, watch out.