Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from big road win at Maryland
1. Tre Holloman is a serious X-factor
Heading into this season, I would have told you that Tre Holloman was the fifth-best guard on the roster behind Tyson Walker, AJ Hoggard, Jaden Akins, and Jeremy Fears Jr.
Boy, was I wrong.
While Holloman still comes off the bench as Hoggard, Walker, and Akins start, he is still the biggest X-factor on the team because when he plays well, Michigan State usually wins. In fact, the Spartans are an impressive 9-0 when Holloman scores six or more points, according to Jon Rothstein. And the Spartans are 10-0 this season when Holloman scores 10-plus.
Michigan State is 11-0 this season in games where Tre Holloman is responsible for 10+ points
— dunc 🌎 (@SpartyWRLD) January 21, 2024
He had 12 points on 3/4 3PT shooting and the game-winning steal today pic.twitter.com/nyN77MPGSe
If Michigan State is going to exceed expectations in the NCAA Tournament this season or make a push for the Big Ten title, Holloman is going to have to play a major role.
Not only did he have 12 points on Sunday afternoon, he made the game-winning defensive play against Maryland's best player, Jahmir Young. He poked the ball loose in the final seconds, leading to a turnover and winning the Spartans the game.
Oh, and he has the nation's best assist-to-turnover ratio.
Holloman is the key to the title puzzle.