Michigan State basketball: The great, good, bad, and ugly from Kentucky win

Michigan State basketball pulls away from Coach Cal and No. 4 Kentucky in an absolute thriller. Here’s your great, good, bad, and ugly.

Tuesday’s Michigan State basketball game against Kentucky was similar to last week against Gonzaga, yet different. Against Gonzaga, the Spartans gave the game away. They had the Zags on the ropes, up a dozen, yet Drew Timme and Co. stormed back. This first Championship Classic game was different in that it was dead even from the start.

If anything, Kentucky had a slight pull away a few times that the Spartans had to battle back from. And that is exactly what they did. It was announced shortly before tip-off that big Oscar Tshiebwe was going to play. The reigning National Player of the Year had yet to make his season debut, and suddenly, Mady Sissoko had his hands full. It seems that Tom and Co. decided to almost let Oscar have his success, and make others beat us, as the Spartans held the Wildcats’ guards Antonio Reeves and CJ Fredricks to just five points a piece.

For the Spartans offensively, the combination of Joey Hauser, and Malik Hall powered us to overtime (and double overtime). Once there, Tyson Walker took over, scoring nine of his 14 points in overtime.

Taking it to Big Blue is always special, but here are the great, good, bad, and ugly from Michigan State basketball’s incredible win.

Great: Joey Hauser, Tyson Walker, and Malik Hall

If anyone can figure out what makes Joey Hauser tick, please let Tom Izzo know so he can be sure to rile him up before each game. Joey’s stat lines from this season thus far:

Northern Arizona – 18 points and 10 rebounds
Gonzaga – 2 points and 1 rebound
Kentucky – 23 points and 8 rebounds

Nothing says inconsistent more than those stat lines. However, tonight, Hauser was brilliant. Leading the Spartans in scoring and, more importantly, when we needed a point to stop the bleeding, he was one of the few who were able to do so — 57 percent from three, while also adding eight rebounds is a star performance.

As mentioned, Tyson absolutely took over overtime. It was the Mady and Tyson show for overtime and double overtime. Knocking down threes when needed, more importantly, the moment Tshiebwe fouled out, Tyson made it his mission to find Sissoko for as many alley ops as possible. It was apparent AJ just didn’t have it today so it was imperative that Tyson step up.

Another great game for OKG (Our Kinda Guy) Malik Hall. There is a reason Izzo coined this name for him as he just has so much potential to help this team. 20 points, while shooting 33 percent from three, and almost 64% from two is exactly what was needed from an OKG. Hall quite literally sent us to overtime with his last second dunk and throughout OT and 2OT, he looked in control.

Good: Mady Sissoko’s defense

As I mentioned, as soon as Oscar was announced to be playing, Michigan States game plan changed. Mady has the physical ability to stick with Tshiebwe, but a talented big like he is will cause even the most level headed defender to foul out just to match the intensity. While Oscar spent the first half still getting his court legs after making his season debut, Mady did a great job containing the Wildcat big man while limiting fouls.

The second half was a different story, but that went both ways as both big men were in danger of fouling out, Oscar eventually doing so. Oscar got his points and rebounds, but having Mady for overtime was so much more crucial. As a side note, Michigan State doesn’t win this game if Mady doesn’t hit his free throws — 75 percent from the charity line, down the stretch, from a big man is elite.

Bad: AJ Hoggard’s ball-handling

AJ Hoggard just did not have it today. He looked out of control when pushing the ball, had a hard time finding his teammates, and came up limping more than once. Ironic because just last week it was mentioned how comfortable Hoggard looked while bringing the ball up. He had five turnovers tonight, but seemed much more lost than that. Luckily, Tyson stepped up, but, Hoggard needs a break. It’s a long season, and he has had a great start thus far. Possibly coming off the bench once or twice might give him the rest he needs.

Ugly: Nothing

To beat another blue blood program, you have to be great. Tonight, against Kentucky, Michigan State basketball did just that. Finishing a game by outscoring the No. 4 team in the country 13-1 is a hell of a way to finish. Everyone, even the assistant coaches, who were credited with coming up with the unique trick play when passing the ball in toward the end of the game, deserve credit.

As Izzo said in the postgame press conference, “This is special – we feel like we got to recapture our culture”.