Make it nine straight wins for Michigan State basketball. The Spartans were able to hold onto a lead they carved out in the first half to take out Northwestern on the road, 78 to 68.
This was not an easy win by any means, while Northwestern might not have the best record this season, I feel that they will end the season in better shape, because they have some strong defense and a couple great scorers, but MSU was able to shut down star player Brooks Barnhizer in this one and get enough offense to hold onto the big lead they got in the first half after going on a 22 to 3 run.
Below, we put together five takeaways from a game that put the Spartans at 14 and 2 on the year and still undefeated in the Big Ten with five wins.
This defense is suffocating
In the Spartans’ last win against Washington, they didn’t let the Huskies’ best player, Great Osobor, make a single field goal. In this game, they held Northwestern star Brooks Barnhizer for just four points. We’ve seen enough evidence this year, this defense is legit, and it’s suffocating.
Northwestern only had two players score in double-figures, and even then, a lot of those points had to come from the free throw line as MSU made life miserable for Northwestern with their intensity on defense.
This offense is extremely versatile and adaptible
It seems like every game, every week, there is hand-wringing over the Spartans’ offense because they don’t have a perceived ‘go to’ scorer. I think it’s time to have the conversation… is Michigan State’s offense just good?
While a lot of MSU’s offense this year has been sparked by the fast break, that wasn’t the case against Northwestern, as MSU was able to pick apart Northwestern and bully a tough defense in the paint.
I think this offense has so many options, so many weapons, they might just be good.
Also, during this game, Gus Johnson questioned if MSU would be able to reach their ceiling without an NBA-level scorer… Just because they don’t have a player averaging 20 points per game doesn’t mean this team doesn’t have some NBA-level scorers. Jase Richardson is already getting some draft buzz for his impressive offensive arsenal, Jaden Akins is playing at a high-level, and, while it wasn’t his best game, Xavier Booker still shows plenty of flashes that he might have a rare, elite type of ceiling.
I love the three center rotation
If you have been reading my takeaways regularly, you have probably noticed this already, but I am in love with MSU’s decision to use a platoon method at center this year. They’ve tried it in the past, but with this group, it’s perfect.
Szymon Zapala, Jaxon Kohler, and Carson Cooper all have such different skillsets. Zapala has his size and intensity. Kohler has his rebounding, post-scoring, and rapidly improving defense. Cooper has his elite screen setting and navigation skills and amazing, nimble feet. Izzo can swap them out every few minutes and keep throwing different looks at his opponents, keeping his centers fresh and running the floor, and it’s been working.
Another key benefit of this strategy is regarding Zapala. The knock on Zapala throughout his college career has been his inability to play big minutes. With his size and how hard he plays, I think it will always be hard for him to play more than 20 minutes per game. The platoon allows him to play his ferocious and imposing style without wearing himself out. It’s perfect.
Frankie Fidler has found his role
Frankie Fidler isn’t the savior at the small forward position some people may have hoped for, but that’s okay. After a summer that earned Fidler some high praise from Izzo, he earned himself a starting spot, but he never looked comfortable in that role and often looked like he was pressing as he adjusts to playing Big Ten, power-five basketball at Michigan State after a career at Omaha.
Fidler instead moved to the bench, and I think this is a perfect role for him. Fidler has been playing some very confident basketball in that role, and he has been really impressing with his defense (one block and one steal against Northwestern), rebounds (five against Northwestern), and his ability to get to the line, allowing the team to keep some points coming in when the starters take a rest.
Fears’ improvement each game is remarkable
Through no fault of his own, Jeremy Fears Jr. had his development stalled when he was shot in the leg last season. Because of that, I gave him a lot of grace when it came to his play. Early in the season, the game still looked fast for him and he was turning it over way too much.
Every single game this year, Fears has gotten better. He scored 12 points with eight assists on Sunday and was a maestro in the half court orchestrating the offense. On top of that, he is one of the best point guard defenders we’ve seen on this team since the days of Tum Tum Nairn.
If Fears keeps improving like this every game, it’s hard not to day dream about what he might look like by the end of the season…
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s road win over Northwestern
