Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from drubbing of Baylor

Michigan State basketball is fun again. The Spartans wiped the floor with the Bears in Detroit today, 88-64. What can we learn from this win?

On Saturday, Michigan State basketball faced off against the Baylor Bears at Little Caesars Arena, where I was fortunate enough to cover the game for Spartan Shadows. The Spartans came into today 4-5, facing their third undefeated team (Arizona, James Madison) about a month into the season. Today, that mark of undefeated changed for Baylor. Michigan State basketball routed the Bears, leading by 28 at half, winning 88-64. At half, Coen Carr had as many dunks as Baylor had bench points, at two. The Spartans started with a Tyson Walker three and never trailed today. In the best Spartan basketball game of the year, these takeaways are a lot more fun to do. 

1. The Spartans started fast

After Baylor won the opening tip, the Spartans forced a shot clock violation. In the best start possible, Tyson Walker hit a three right after. Walker did all a majority of the work, with 8 points before the under-16 timeout, including two threes. Both Sissoko and Cooper had a good stint leading into the timeout, adding a bucket each. Then, the next three minutes was the best Michigan State basketball of the season. Walker added another two threes, and Cooper brought the house down with a dunk. At the under-12 timeout (forced by a Baylor timeout), MSU led by 15. 

The Spartans just kept pushing. Highly touted freshman Xavier Booker added in two, and then Coen Carr threated to cave in Little Caesars Arena with a dunk from a Hoggard steal. At the under-eight, again coming on a Bears timeout, Michigan State led by 19. Cooper sent in a pair of free throws to make the Spartan lead 21. MSU expanded the lead to as much as 30. At half, MSU led by 28. The half ended on a 38-6 scoring run. 

2. This is the most productive the center and forward positions have been all season

The worst kept secret for the Spartans this season has been the center struggles. No matter if it is Mady Sissoko, Carson Cooper, or Xavier Booker, no Spartan has excelled. That was not the case in the first half. Carson Cooper drew contact, made free throws, and combined with Sissoko for the best ball screen defense we have seen all season. Tom Izzo brought this up in his post game presser, stating that the Spartans tweaked their ball screen defense to account for Baylor’s RayJ Dennis. Coen Carr elevated twice, once for the dunk, and then to make an easy Bears dunk become a lob into the third row. He just kept going, adding another earth shattering dunk.

Sissoko added two in the first half, plus multiple rebounds on both ends of the glass. Sissoko accounted for the only missed field goal from the Spartan centers at half on a missed tip-in. In the second half, Sissoko had a big few minutes following the under-eight, nailing a pair of free throws and then providing a big block that Hoggard recovered, turning it into a Walker layup. 

Xavier Booker provided good, if unspectacular minutes in the first half. He gave the Spartans two in the first half. Booker played for 3 minutes, and looked lost on the offensive side of the ball during the first possession. That said, his shots were sharp. He managed to add five in the second half, including a three to make the crowd blow up.  

Not bad for a unit that Tom Izzo was considering placing Steven Izzo or Nick Sanders in at starter after Nebraska.

3. Michigan State basketball finally played up to their potential, and this team is scary

Leading into the season, everyone stated that the Spartans were loaded with potential. After the first nine games, including the ugly loss to Nebraska, it was assumed the Spartans would have a season of untapped potential. Against a Bears team gunning for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament in a few months, the Spartans blew them off the court. Even when Baylor went on a 7-0 run out of the break, MSU responded, and the lead was still 25 by the under-16.

The team did not face adversity much today, which was a question that will remain unanswered. In his press conference, Izzo noted this. He stated that the team today punched Baylor in the mouth instead of waiting for it. Tyson Walker was again the best player on court. 

Another main concern on this team was the free throw ability. Against James Madison, among other games, it doomed the Spartans. Today, the Spartans started 9-for-9. Of course, good things did not last, as Jeremy Fears missed both his shots from the stripe after. Then Hall went 1-for-2. However, this came with the Spartans in charge by 26. I think we can allow that. 

The Spartans bullied the Bears, recording fifteen steals. Jeremy Fears, AJ Hoggard,  Coen Carr, and Tyson Walker all had a pair recorded by half. Steven Izzo even made an appearance, but missed his free throws. 

Tyson Walker continued to do Tyson Walker things, recording 25 points to lead the Spartans. AJ Hoggard and Tre Holloman each finished in double digits as well. Carson Cooper and Xavier Booker recorded eight and seven points, respectively. 

Scott Drew stated in his press conference that this was a team that played like a top four preseason team, and I have to agree.