Michigan State basketball: One of nation’s best fast-break teams

Michigan State basketball is one of the nation’s best fast-break teams once again, ranking in the top 25 in the country.

This has always been a staple of Michigan State basketball under Tom Izzo. Transition and fast break points. I honestly can’t remember a time when MSU wasn’t one of the best teams in the country in transition.

This sentiment is true once again this season as the Spartans are near the top of the country in fast break points per game. No one is surprised by reading that statement.

Top 25 in fast-break points

Michigan State currently ranks No. 21 in the country in fast-break points per game. So far this season, the Spartans are averaging 15.4 points per game on the fast break. This is also good enough for No. 2 in the Big Ten behind only Iowa. The Hawkeyes are also known for playing extremely fast-paced as well, so it’s no surprise to see them above the Spartans on this list.

As I mentioned, it’s not surprising seeing Michigan State at the top of this list. I’d be more surprised if they weren’t in the top 25. The Spartans always have great guards on their team, and that is essential to being a great transition team.

Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard really get things going on the break for Michigan State. Hoggard is excellent at getting to the rim, but he’s arguably even better at passing the ball up the floor. Every good coach will tell you that the ball travels faster than the man, and Hoggard exemplifies that to perfection. MSU can get up the floor faster if he passes the ball to one of his wings quickly, and Hoggard is excellent at this.

MSU also has fast guys on the wing, like Jaden Akins, who regularly beat the defense down the floor. Even their bigs have shown they can get out in transition as well. MSU’s transition game is a total team effort, and it has to be if they want to continue being this good at it.

Climbing these rankings

I honestly would be shocked if Michigan State didn’t climb higher in these rankings as the season goes on. The offense just flows a lot better and they play their best ball when they get out in transition.

The Spartans’ offense has been struggling the last couple games, so I bet Tom Izzo will emphasize running in transition more in the coming days. Getting out on the fast break is the easiest way to score, so if MSU continues to struggle in the half court then running more is their only other option.

As of today, 13 teams are currently less than one point above MSU’s season average. So the Spartans could shoot up these rankings very fast. If they do shoot up these rankings, I’d bet that means the Spartans are getting a lot of wins as well.