Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s win over Oakland

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Michigan State Spartans basketball team shakes hands with Oakland Golden Grizzlies basketball team before the start of the game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

It was a one-point game at the half, but Michigan State basketball was able to handle business in the second half to beat Oakland.

The second half was pure domination as the Spartans remain unbeaten against Oakland in the long-time series between great friends Tom Izzo and Greg Kampe. MSU beat Oakland in the second half 46 to 28 to beat Oakland 77 to 58.

Below, we put together our five takeaways from MSU’s ninth win of the season.

MSU looked a little rusty to start the game

Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) passes the ball behind the back of Oakland Golden Grizzlies forward Allen Mukeba (23) during the first period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

It’s not often you get ten days off in a row during a basketball season, but MSU’s last game was on December 7th against Nebraska. They weren’t playing with the intensity they showed us the last few games in the first half, and I think that was partially due to rust. Luckily, they were able to find that gear in the second half to put the game away.

First half was flukey, but credit to Oakland’s zone

Michigan State Spartans center Carson Cooper (15) loses the ball after fighting for the rebound against Oakland Golden Grizzlies guard Isaiah Jones (7) and guard DQ Cole (10) during the first period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

Not to take anything away from Oakland, but they shot 5-for-9 from three in the first half. There was no way that was going to continue for the full game. However, it wasn’t just hot shooting that led Oakland to be a thorn in Michigan State’s side in the first half. Oakland ran a zone defense that gave MSU some fits. We’ve seen MSU teams struggle historically against the zone, I don’t need to remind Spartan fans about a certain loss to Syracuse in 2018,…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/five-takeaways-michigan-state-basketballs-021131402.html

Author : Spartans Wire

Publish date : 2024-12-18 02:11:00

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