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Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s win over Oakland

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Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s win over Oakland

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.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.

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.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.

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, but I think the Spartans responded well coming out of halftime and moved the ball through the zone well.

This defense is special

Michigan State Spartans center Szymon Zapala (10) looks up after a no call, during the first period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.Michigan State Spartans center Szymon Zapala (10) looks up after a no call, during the first period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

Michigan State Spartans center Szymon Zapala (10) looks up after a no call, during the first period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

Michigan State had eleven blocks and three steals in this game. It felt like every Oakland shot in the second half was contested.

Going into this game, Greg Kampe said MSU will be the best defense they play all year, and Oakland also had Kansas on the schedule. And I don’t think he’s wrong. This is a special group defensively. They play with tenacity and aggression and that’s a great sign for this season.

Xavier Booker looks reborn

Dec 4, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Xavier Booker (34) celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesDec 4, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Xavier Booker (34) celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Dec 4, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Xavier Booker (34) celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Ever since Michigan State got back from the Maui Invitational, Xavier Booker has been a different player. He led the Spartans in scoring on Tuesday night with 18 and also added six rebounds, a steal, an assist, and a block.

Booker is the X-factor on this team, if he’s going to play like this, then Michigan State is a very dangerous team.

The rebounding is on another level

Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) is fouled by Oakland Golden Grizzlies guard Nassim Mashhour (0), during the first period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) is fouled by Oakland Golden Grizzlies guard Nassim Mashhour (0), during the first period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

Michigan State Spartans forward Jaxon Kohler (0) is fouled by Oakland Golden Grizzlies guard Nassim Mashhour (0), during the first period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

Everybody knows that Tom Izzo wants to rebound the basketball. Aside from transition offense it’s his biggest cornerstone as a coach. Michigan State has been dominant on the boards of late, and won the rebounding margin in this one 51 to 31.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s win over Oakland

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