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Michigan State basketball: Did the Spartans listen to me?

By Scott Tolonen

Michigan State's A.J. Hoggard, left, scores as Ohio State's Justice Sueing defends during the second half on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.230304 Msu Ohio State 149a
Michigan State's A.J. Hoggard, left, scores as Ohio State's Justice Sueing defends during the second half on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.230304 Msu Ohio State 149a /
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Well, Michigan State basketball won a roller coaster game. But the key word is ‘wins’.

Let’s see if Izzo listened to me.

1. Score more points than the other team 

I have sent an email to Scott Sheffield, the Leonard Eisenbud Prize for Mathematics and Physics winner at MIT to find out if 72 is more than 62. I am awaiting a response, but for the time being, let’s all assume it is and Michigan State advances to the next round.

2. Sell out to defend Boogie Ellis and Drew Peterson

  • Boogie Ellis: 6 points (averages 18), 3-12 FG, 0-3 3-point, 3 turnovers, 5 fouls
  • Drew Peterson: 11 points (averages 14), 4-10 FG, 1-4 3-point, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls

This is the stuff Spartan fans love to see, as I’m sure Tom Izzo is as well. Jaden Akins, Malik Hall, and Tyson Walker shut down Boogie Ellis to his second-worst points performance of the season.

It was not often that Ellis nor Drew Peterson got off a comfortable in-rhythm shot. I saw a lot of contested layups, off-balanced long twos, and a lot of missed 3-pointers. There was a small period where I thought the other guys on USC were going to beat the Spartans after Josh Morgan went on a little run of buckets but credit Izzo and the players for adjusting the pick-and-roll defense after halftime.

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