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3 takeaways from Michigan State basketball's dominant win at Minnesota

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 4, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Dec 4, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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Michigan State basketball opened Big Ten play on Wednesday with a road battle against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers were 6-3 heading into the game but it was clear that Ben Johnson's team was probably going to be one of the worst in the Big Ten this season.

But the line was just -4.5 in favor of the Spartans before the game which is why it felt like this game was going to be much more difficult than expected.

Michigan State came out hot and took a 9-2 lead before Minnesota stormed back on a 12-3 run to take a 14-12 lead but that would be the last time the Gophers would hold a lead or even be close for the rest of the contest. Michigan State responded with a 14-0 run and never looked back, taking a 12-point lead into halftime and just building on it in the second half.

What did we learn from Wednesday's win in the Big Ten opener?

1. This team's depth is scary

How many teams in college basketball can sub out an entire lineup at one time and not skip a beat? Michigan State does full hockey line changes every game now and it feels like the Spartans never seem to miss a beat because of it.

The starting five played well, but minutes into the game, Tom Izzo subbed in an entire new five and it didn't much matter. Yes, there was a lull in which Minnesota conjured up a 12-3 run, but Michigan State responded with a 14-0 run of its own and ran away with an 18-point road win.

The depth that Michigan State has just wears teams down and it's rare to see, but the bench scored 43 points on Wednesday. Those are national title-contending numbers.

Twelve (!!) different Spartans scored against Minnesota.

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