Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from 37-point win over Nebraska

Following an impressive route of Minnesota, Michigan State basketball returned to the Breslin Center for the first conference game of the year at home. The Spartans played host to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who were sporting a 6-1 record to open their conference slate. With the Izzone decked out in Christmas colors for the red and green teams facing off, what was learned about these teams?

Hint: MSU is really, really good.

1. It is a rebound party

Michigan State basketball out-muscled Nebraska today. That is a fact. The Spartans were able to grab board after board, getting tough second-chance points, drawing Nebraska fouls on missed shots, and if not for a few timely Nebraska triples, it would be a blowout at the half. That said, the boards were all going to MSU. The Spartans led 24-10 in rebounding at halftime, led by Jaxon Kohler nabbing eight in the opening half.

Another advantage was Nebraska’s untimely fouls. They had multiple fouls on defensive rebounds, sending Coen Carr, Jase Richardson, and Jaden Akins to the line. The Spartans were 12-for-12 from the charity stripe at the half. The referees were a little whistle-happy, with 19 fouls called in 20 minutes played. MSU took full advantage.

As physical as it was, the Spartans led by as much as 15. Nebraska had a quick 9-0 run heading towards half, but Kohler put up four to put it as a double-digit lead at halftime.

2. Same narrative, different days

Against Nebraska, the Spartans struggled from deep, shot well from the stripe, and had no dominant scorer in the first half. It was a continuation of the same narratives that have followed this program since the start of the season. Outside of the three-ball, the other two narratives are not a bad thing.

That said, shooting 25 percent from three at the half, mostly on good shots, is, well, bad. The Spartans should have these shots fall eventually, but it is over a month into the season. The time is ticking. Maybe a 50 percent from deep showing at Minnesota should have solved issues, but it appears that was not the case.

On the other end, the Spartan depth paid off again. Four Spartans were at six points or more at the half, led by Akins’ and Richardson’s nine points. Additionally, every Spartan besides Cooper and Booker had at least a bucket in the opening half. The Spartans have threats everywhere, and there is no Tyson Walker to key on. This team has the potential for anyone to go off any given night.

3. Domination

Michigan State basketball humiliated Nebraska. Every stat, every player head-to-head, it was not close. Michigan State was at their first 40-point lead of the year with 6:15 left in the game. They equaled this mark again with 3:53 to play. The only statistic that the Huskers outdid the Spartans in was having fewer turnovers.

Every Spartan that played in the first half finished with buckets. Nick Sanders got to play two minutes against this team. The Huskers got pummeled, frankly. The Huskers shot from deep 22 times. They made four.

The end of the game was true freshmen jacking up shots as both teams escaped injury. Nebraska cut it to 35 near the end, but it could have been a 50-point drubbing if MSU chose. What a win for MSU.

What’s next?

The Spartans get 10 days off until they travel down to Little Caesars Arena to play 2024 NCAA Tournament darling Oakland. Their next home game is in two weeks, against Florida Atlantic. This was their last conference game of 2024, and they resume Big Ten play on Jan. 3 in Columbus.