5 Takeaways: Michigan State downs No. 17 Indiana on emotional night in East Lansing
In the first game back at the Breslin Center since the senseless tragedy which took place on campus just over a week ago, Michigan State overcame a sluggish start and played like a team on a mission in a 80-65 win over No. 17 Indiana.
Head coach Tom Izzo has noted for the last week how playing basketball games doesn't erase the heartbreak which has taken place at the university that he loves, but at least tonight, the Spartans brought back some needed smiles and joy to their campus.
Here are five takeaways from a victory for MSU which should be remembered for a long time:
1.) Tyson Walker breathes life into Spartans
The opening 14 minutes were a disaster for Michigan State on both ends of the floor. The Spartans had six early turnovers, and shot just 5-for-17 from the floor on their way to a 22-13 deficit.
Then senior shooting guard Tyson Walker caught fire, knocking down three consecutive three-pointers, before adding a fourth triple with 10 seconds left in the first half. That capped an 11-2 run for Michigan State to close the frame and take a 35-29 lead into the locker room.
That shooting surge by Walker sparked the fire that carried the Spartans through the rest of the night. The senior finished with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. Walker added four assists and a steal to his outstanding night.
2.) Jaxon Kohler steps up big
Michigan State has been thin in the frontcourt all season, and has struggled defending the Big Ten's best big men as a result.
Tonight, facing Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Spartans were dealt an even tougher hand, as freshman center Carson Cooper was ruled out with an ankle/foot injury prior to the game. Then, junior starter Mady Sissoko picked up two first half fouls, further complicating MSU's situation.
Enter Jaxon Kohler.
Michigan State's other freshman center was called upon to play 11 minutes in that first half, and he gave the Spartans a huge boost off the bench. Kohler scored four points, grabbed five rebounds and had a steal in the first frame. He also defended Jackson-Davis about as well as one could expect from a freshman.
Kohler played an additional eight minutes in the second half, and added two rebounds and an assist. This was a "coming of age" kind of performance for the freshman.
3.) MSU owns the glass
On Saturday at Michigan, the Spartans were out-rebounded by 13 and surrendered 14 offensive rebounds to the Wolverines.
Clearly Izzo and his staff put an emphasis on the glass following that poor performance. Michigan State dominated the Hoosiers on the glass tonight, to the tune of a 33-24 edge in rebounding. Indiana was held to just five offensive rebounds, while the Spartans scored 13 second-chance points off 10 offensive boards of their own.
This is no where near one of Izzo's better rebounding teams, but they responded in a big way tonight and it was a huge reason why Michigan State took home a big win.
4.) Spartans improve vs. Trayce Jackson-Davis
As mentioned above, Michigan State has struggled to defend the Big Ten's best big men, and Indiana's Jackson-Davis certainly fits that qualification. The Hoosier senior dominated MSU in the first meeting between these two teams with 31 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and five blocked shots.
Jackson-Davis was pretty darn good again tonight, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists. However, Michigan State did just enough to bother Indiana's big guy, who also committed an eye-popping seven turnovers against the various looks the Spartans threw at him tonight.
Izzo said earlier this week that Jackson-Davis was probably going to put up good numbers, but Michigan State was good enough against him tonight.
5.) Hoggard's big response
Junior point guard A.J. Hoggard picked up a technical foul early in the game at Michigan, and got chewed out by Izzo immediately after. Following MSU's loss to the Wolverines, both Izzo brought up the technical foul again in his post-game press conference, making his disappointment evident.
Tonight, Hoggard responded in a big way for the Spartans. The junior had 22 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting, and added five assists and three rebounds.
The junior has his good games and bad games, that's just how his career has gone at Michigan State. Tonight, Hoggard stepped up big and gave Izzo exactly what the head coach needed from his starting point guard.
Up Next
Michigan State (17-10, 9-7) is back on the road this coming weekend, as they travel to Iowa (17-10, 9-7) on Saturday. The Spartans will remain on the Great Plains with a road trip to Nebraska (14-14, 7-10) next Tuesday.
