Road games in the Big Ten are never easy, no matter the opponent, but Michigan State basketball made Saturday night’s win over Washington look rather routine.
Michigan State held off a slight second-half surge by Washington to cruise to an 80-63 win. The Huskies cut the Spartans’ second-half lead to just five at 48-43, but from that point on, it was all Michigan State. With the win, Tom Izzo’s squad improves to 16-2 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten.
The Spartans broke a little sweat in the second half, but other than a short run by Washington, the final 20 minutes was pretty much all Michigan State. This was about as stress-free of a win that you could ask for.
What’d we learn?
1. Jeremy Fears’ confidence is sky-rocketing
You can tell by how Jeremy Fears brings the ball up the floor, he’s not just looking to pass anymore, he’s looking to get the ball in the basket by any means necessary. If that means that he has to take the ball to the rim or come off a screen and hit a mid-range jumper, he’s willing to do it.
That wasn’t the case even a few weeks ago.
Fears finished with 19 points, five assists, and three steals all while shooting 6-for-9 from the floor. The sophomore’s shooting and finishing improvement has made him quite the threat. His ability to get to the rim also leads to a lot of free throws. He’s causing defenses to crash because he’s become a threat to score, and it either leads to fouls or wide-open teammates on the perimeter.
Fears’ confidence is sky-rocketing in front of our eyes.
2. Different players are always stepping up
Jaxon Kohler was struggling on the offensive end a bit (by his standards) and Coen Carr only took four shots. Two important starters, including the team’s leading scorer, struggling at the same time would usually derail a Big Ten team on the road in conference play. Michigan State’s depth and bench effectiveness have set it apart from most teams.
Kohler and Carr usually combine to average over 20 points, but they had just 13 in a Big Ten road game on Saturday night, and the Spartans still won by 17.
When stars struggle, the role players are stepping up. Kohler is missing shots he usually drains? It happens, but Cam Ward steps up off the bench to put up six points and seven boards. Carr isn’t having much of an offensive impact? Kur Teng comes in and scores 11 off the bench.
This team has depth — Izzo’s best teams always do.
3. Turnover issues solved?
At least for one game.
Michigan State turned the ball over just five times, which marks the first time that it’s had fewer than 11 giveaways since the Duke game back in December. The Spartans looked sharp for most of the game, and they didn’t have many unforced errors that drive Izzo nuts.
When the Spartans play this clean of a game, there aren’t many — if any — teams that can take them down. A confident, turnover-free Michigan State team can beat just about anyone.