How Michigan State basketball beat Mississippi State and what it means

The Bench

Yes, the bench could have easily been lumped into the offense. The Spartans benched outscored the Bulldogs 17-7, lead by Xavier Booker and Tre Holloman with five points each although the former had one 3-point shot go three-fourths of the way through the bucket only to pop out.

But there were factors other than points where the bench came in clutch.

Mady Sissoko grabbed nine rebounds off the bench against a team who lives off grabbing offensive rebounds and scoring on the put-backs. He also had two offensive rebounds, including one that he passed back out to Holloman for a 3-pointer and causing Mississippi State to burn another timeout.

We don't need Sissoko to be an All-American (deep analysis, I know) but as long as he can grab rebounds, not turn the ball over, and take high percentage shots, he can play meaningful minutes.