5 Observations: MSU outlasts Minnesota, advances in Big Ten Tournament
It was a game the Spartans had to have, and they got it.
Michigan State outlasted Minnesota, 77-67, in a back-and-forth, grind-it out game in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans advance to the quarterfinal round, where top-seeded Purdue awaits.
Minnesota scored the first seven points of the game, but the Spartans responded with a 14-3 run to take a 14-10 lead in the first seven and a half minutes. The Gophers scored the next 11 points, and Michigan State responded with back-to-back 3s from Tyson Walker and Jaden Akins to close within 21-20. The two teams traded buckets from there, with Minnesota taking a 34-32 lead into halftime.
The second half started the way the first half ended, with both teams trading buckets. However, after Minnesota built a 49-44 lead after a controversial goaltending call, the Spartans responded with with their best stretch on both ends of the floor. Michigan State went on a 15-2 run to take it's largest lead of the game, 59-52, with 7:24 left to play. That proved to be the knockout punch for the Spartans, who increased their lead to as many as 13 before a late 3-pointer from the Gophers. Here are five takeaways from a big win for MSU...
1.) Jaden Akins comes alive
We've been as critical of Jaden Akins as anyone for his poor play over the last several weeks, but the junior came alive at a critical time for the Spartans. Akins scored nine points, seven of which came in the first half, and was an efficient 4-of-6 from the floor. The junior aided MSU on the glass as well, grabbing seven rebounds and adding a pair of steals defensively.
Michigan State doesn't need Akins to be its leading scorer or best player. Tyson Walker and Malik Hall can fill those roles most nights. What the Spartans need from the junior is what they got today — an efficient scorer at all three levels (3-point line, midrange, at the rim) and a guy who's going to battle on the glass and defensively. It was good to see Akins bounce back in this one.
2.) MSU's bigs played better
Michigan State was stagnant offensively to start the game, but freshman big Xavier Booker provided a spark with a pair of dunks for MSU's first two field goals of the game. Tom Izzo utilized Booker exclusively at the 4-spot behind Malik Hall in this one, and the freshman gave MSU a boost. Booker finished with six points, three rebounds, two steals and an assist. We would have liked to see the freshman get more minutes in the second half (he played only five), but the Spartans got enough from its other bigs after the break to offset that.
While there were still questionable moments, sophomores Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler gave Michigan State pretty good minutes today. Cooper got the start and provided three points, five rebounds and a steal. Kohler played a season-high 20 minutes and finished with seven points, six rebounds and an assist.
Meanwhile, Hall was in foul trouble through much of this game but, once he got on the floor for a good long stretch in the second half, the fifth-year senior made his impact offensively. Hall scored nine points in the game, most of which came while Michigan State put Minnesota away in those final eight minutes or so.
1.) Overcoming early turnovers
The Spartans came out sloppy and disconnected today, with five turnovers in the first 13 minutes which Minnesota converted into 10 points. Point guard A.J. Hoggard was loose with the basketball during the particularly bad stretch in which the Gophers scored 11 unanswered points. At halftime, the senior was held to four points and two assists, with three turnovers.
Michigan State had just four turnovers the rest of the game however, and Hoggard responded with a big second half. In total, the point guard finished with 17 points and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor and 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Hoggard added six assists, and did not commit a turnover in the second half.
4.) Tre Holloman did a lot of things right
Michigan State's sophomore guard has this knack for making a big impact despite putting modest numbers in the box score. Today, Holloman did a little bit of everything with nine points, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot. He was a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor and knocked down both of his 3-point attempts. Holloman seemed to make timely plays for Michigan State, and his impact went beyond just the raw numbers.
That was big for the Spartans, especially with Tyson Walker struggling to find his shot early in the game. The fifth-year senior finished with 15 points, but was just 6-of-15 from the floor. Walker added four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
5.) Michigan State is going to 'the Big Dance'
The Spartans entered this game projected as a 10-seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament by both ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi and Fox Sports' Mike DeCourcey. CBS Sports' Jerry Palm, meanwhile, had Michigan State still sitting at a 9-seed heading into the Big Ten Tournament.
What does all that mean? It means the Spartans likely secured their ticket to 'the Big Dance' with this win over Minnesota. The advanced metrics like the NET and KenPom ratings have loved Michigan State throughout the season, despite this program finishing at 18-13 overall and 10-10 in Big Ten play.
Up next, the Spartans advance to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament where No. 1 seed Purdue awaits. MSU could improve its NCAA Tournament seed with a win over the Boilermakers, but a loss will not damage the Spartans in any way. Michigan State will extend their tournament streak to 26 consecutive appearances.
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