Michigan State looked to start its road to a Maui championship today against Virginia Tech. MSU started that journey as quickly as they ended it. The Spartans shot themselves in the foot countless times and ended up begin beaten by the Hokies 71-66. To the Hokies credit, they turned in a solid game that was just enough to beat the third-ranked team in the nation.
What went wrong
The Spartans altogether turned in a dismal performance from top to bottom. As a team, MSU shot 40.7% from the field and 34.8% from behind the long line. Virginia Tech countered with a solid 44.2% from the field and a great 47.6% from three. Along with the lackluster shooting numbers, the Spartans also turned the ball over 16 times. The empty possessions costed them down the line when they couldn’t complete their comeback. To pile on to the list of things that didn’t go State’s way, Cassius Winston only played 8 minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. It was very clear tonight that without Winston on the floor the Michigan State offense doesn’t really know what it is doing. The offense is much more stagnant and doesn’t get out and run, which is a strength for Tom Izzo coached teams.
When a team is missing a key piece for long periods of time like the Spartans were tonight, you look for someone to pick up the slack. That never really came, though. Aaron Henry did turn in a fine game with 18 points while shooting 7-12 from the field. The Spartans needed more but never got it. They looked to get the ball down low to their big man Xavier Tillman. It seemed as though every time he had a touch he would just throw it away. Tillman led the team with 5 turnovers with a couple coming down the stretch. The big man also turned in just 9 points while shooting a measly 4-10 from the field. The Spartans looked lost without Winston. Cassius turned in 7 points (all in the second half) with only 2 assists and 4 fouls.
State’s Late Comeback
With 4:34 left to go in the game, the Spartans found themselves down 59-49 with all the momentum on the Hokies side. MSU answered with big shots from Cassius and Henry that did get them within one point during their run. Right when you thought the Spartans might come out of there with a win, Hokies’ guards Landers Nolley II and Wabissa Bede iced the game with big shots and free throws. Nolley II had a great performance dropping 22 points and 5 assists. Bede also chipped in 11 points and 5 assists. At the end of the day, all the credit should go to the Hokies they made the big plays when it mattered and it was the difference in the game.
Michigan State’s lack of a second ball handler that can run the offense may prove detrimental to the Spartans title hopes. If they can find someone who can run the offense just half as well as Cassius Winston they could have a shot down the stretch. Though it is still early in the season and they have time to fix their problems, tonight was not a good sign. The Spartans continue their season today in Maui against the Georgia Bulldogs.