Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from blowout win over Alcorn State

Nov 19, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo jokes with son Steven Izzo (13) and guard A.J. Hoggard (11) against the Alcorn State Braves at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 19, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Coen Carr (55) dunks during the second half against the Alcorn State Braves at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

1. This team gained a lot of confidence this weekend

After dominating a red-hot Butler team on Friday night, Michigan State entered Sunday’s contest at .500 and finally starting to figure things out offensively. But they would have to face Alcorn State without top scorer and legitimate national player of the year candidate Tyson Walker.

Everyone feared what this team might look like without Walker seeing as he accounts for about 30 percent of the Spartans’ scoring, and we got a glimpse of it on Sunday night.

And honestly, it wasn’t scary at all.

No, in fact, the Spartans looked really good without Walker. The offense flowed nicely and the spacing was solid. Jaden Akins was able to work on his shot and he finished 5-for-11, Tre Holloman had a career-high 17 points, AJ Hoggard scored in double figures again, and Coen Carr chipped in 11 off the bench, including two incredible dunks.

Michigan State played elite defense, as mentioned earlier, and shot over 50 percent from the floor and 40 percent from 3-point range. It picked up some major confidence this weekend.

Great timing as Arizona awaits on Thursday.

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