All the rust from the preseason seemed to have faded away for Michigan State against Quinnipiac on Monday night with a 96-59 win and the first 50-point first half in a season opener in nearly a decade.
The last time the Spartans scored 50-plus in a first half to open the season was back in 2017-18 when that team went 30-5. We won’t talk about how the season ended — it did end in Detroit so maybe a good sign?
The Spartans handled business like they were supposed to do to improve to 1-0 in their first of two tune-up games before an early-season gauntlet.
Now, some thoughts.
MSU looked like a different team
Yeah, I get it, it was just Quinnipiac, but that’s not the point. Obviously Michigan State is going to look better against MAAC competition than a national title contender like UConn, but the Spartans just looked better. They didn’t look disjointed, the offense flowed much smoother, they had much more energy, and they played complementary basketball.
The offense was looking strong in the half court and it helped that the Spartans dominated the offensive glass for second-chance points, but the defense also played a ton better with more energy and intensity.
Quinnipiac didn’t get open looks, even on what looked like wide-open fast-breaks.
If this is the energy and intensity we get from Michigan State game in and game out consistently, the Spartans are going to be really good this year.
The right guys showed growth
Anton Bonke, Carlos Medlock Jr., Kaleb Glenn, Kur Teng, Cam Ward, and Coen Carr. All of those guys needed to step up after rusty exhibition outings and all of them looked really good on Monday.
Bonke had a lot more confidence and he realized that he could use it to his advantage, Medlock came in and scored in bunches, Glenn was much more of threat in the post but he also showed some finesse, Teng was hitting his shots, Ward was a lot more comfortable, and Carr was doing everything well.
These guys combined for 63 of Michigan State’s 96 points and it was super efficient. Carr scored 12 in 25 minutes, Bonke had 11 in 19, Ward had nine in 16, Glenn scored 11 in 12 minutes, Medlock had nine points in 15, and Teng finished with 11 in 15.
When these guys all play well and complement Jeremy Fears, Jordan Scott, and Jasiah Jervis, Final Four should be the expectation.
Make your free throws
It wouldn’t be a post-game thought without a little bit of scrutinizing. Michigan State has the potential to be elite but it can’t continue shooting free throws like it did on Monday night or that’s going to cost the Spartans some games they should win this year.
Getting to the foul line for 26 shots was a huge positive but making only 15 was not.
Michigan State won’t have a problem getting to the line this season but making 58 percent from the line is a nightmarish number for free throws specialist Tom Izzo.
I know what’s going to be worked on for hours at practice this week.
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