Trailing 72-68 late in the second half, it felt like Michigan State basketball was out of answers. The Spartans were punching and getting met with a flurry of punches back as Bowling Green led for most of the game until Michigan State finally put the game away thanks to an 18-0 run.
Michigan State struggled from deep yet again, shooting just 4-for-20 from distance, but the major difference against Bowling Green? The Spartans' ability to get to the line.
Unlike teams in years past, Michigan State knows how to get to the line this season and it showed that on Saturday night with 32 attempts, making 28 of them. If you can believe it, Michigan State is making 80 percent of its free throws on the season which is impressive given the fact that it's averaging a little over 26 attempts per game.
But struggling to put away a 1-2 Bowling Green team that had losses to Southern Miss and Davidson could be seen as a red flag, but these types of games are bound to happen every year.
It feels like every power conference team has 1-2 games against inferior opponents in which it struggles to really shut the door and this felt like that one contest for Michigan State. The Spartans had no problem with Monmouth and Niagara and they realistically should've beaten Kansas on Tuesday so this tight game against an inferior opponent isn't anything to worry about -- yet.
We also have to remember that Tuesday's loss to Kansas probably took a lot out of Michigan State both mentally and physically which could've led to this disappointing performance.
Plus, the Spartans ran a new starting five out there on Saturday with Jaxon Kohler breaking into the lineup and he played well despite taking just three shots in 16 minutes.
Coen Carr looked great off the bench with 11 points and five rebounds and he made some huge plays down the stretch to really solidify this win for the Spartans. Carson Cooper continues to play well off the bench and Tre Holloman was also part hero on Saturday with 11 points, three assists, and four blocks (yes, you read that correctly).
Once the 3-point shooting finds its level (somewhere in the 35-40 percent range) and the defense plays like it did in the final 10 minutes on Saturday, Michigan State is going to be a Top 25 team.
Fortunately, the Spartans will get another chance to bounce back on Tuesday against Samford before heading to Hawaii to face Colorado on Nov. 25 to kick off the Maui Invitational.
There's no reason to panic but if they don't bounce back with a comfortable win on Tuesday, it might be worth hovering over that button.