Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from win over Marquette

Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from second-round win over Marquette

Mar 19, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25), center Mady Sissoko (22) and guard A.J. Hoggard (11) celebrate during the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Nationwide Arena. The Spartans won 69-60. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchBasketball Ncaa Men S Basketball Tournament Round 2 /

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 19: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a play against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the second half in the second round game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 19, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. This team can beat anyone

Was Marquette the best team Michigan State has played all year? Probably not, but the Golden Eagles were probably somewhere in that top 3-4 range of best teams the Spartans have faced.

But like the rest of the top teams Michigan State has faced (Gonzaga, Alabama, Purdue), the Spartans held their own with plenty of chances to win. All three of those opponents were on the ropes at some point or another (maybe with the exception of Alabama) and Michigan State could have won each of those games.

Michigan State may have finished the season 19-12 before the NCAA Tournament, but that record could have easily been somewhere like 23-8 or even better but this team’s inability to close games was the difference against teams like Purdue, Alabama, and Gonzaga.

It closed against Marquette on Sunday.

This team has shown that it can beat anyone and that’s what makes the Spartans so dangerous in the NCAA Tournament.

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

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