Bad: Field goal droughts
Even with Michigan State basketball starting the game so hot, the Spartans were not immune to a common foe, field goal droughts.
After building a substantial lead, even being up by 30 points at times, MSU suddenly began to struggle from the field. With 6:28 left in the first half, Jeremy Fears hit a jumper, assisted by Holloman. Believe it or not, this proved to be the final field goal of the half for Michigan State. For the next 6.5 minutes, the Spartans would miss their next five shots, not scoring again from the field in the first half. Thankfully for MSU, they had built their 30-point lead to help cushion this small cold streak. And, while there was no scoring from the field for MSU, they were able to get to the line a few times in this stretch. Michigan State went 4-for-6 from the line. Still, not great to finish the final 6:28 in a half with four points.
Against a Big Ten opponent, it’s not likely the Spartans will be up by 30. Without having such a lead built up, field goal droughts can shift a game tremendously. Michigan State have found itself on the losing side of many of those droughts.