Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from huge win at Ohio State

For about 10 minutes in the second half, it looked like Michigan State basketball was in some serious trouble. The Spartans had taken a 43-29 lead with just under 18 minutes left in the second half on a Szymon Zapala dunk and then they scored just six points over the next 10 minutes. It was bad basketball.

Somehow, though, this team overcame that poor play with about a dozen turnovers in that stretch to shake off a 15-2 Ohio State run by going on an 8-0 run of their own. Michigan State never looked back, winning 69-62 in Columbus to improve to 3-0 in Big Ten play.

The win also marks Michigan State’s 12th of the season and the Spartans have now won seven straight games.

What did we learn from this gutsy victory on the road?

1. We should’ve trusted Tom Izzo in regards to Szymon Zapala

I mean, could an entire fanbase have been more wrong about an offseason pickup? When it was announced that Tom Izzo was landing Szymon Zapala from Longwood, you could almost hear the collective groan let out by the fanbase that had been beaten down by poor post play for years.

But Zapala was the right move and Friday night’s performance was further proof of that.

The Longwood transfer became the eighth different Spartan to lead the team in scoring this season, pacing Michigan State with 15 points. He was electric to start the second half and a main reason the Spartans were able to go on the road and secure a big win. Zapala set the tone. He only grabbed two rebounds, but his offensive performance was all that was needed.

2. Coen Carr is becoming more reliable every game

Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that Michigan State’s top three scorers in a road win at Ohio State to start the new year would be Zapala, Jaden Akins, and Coen Carr? It’s incredible how reliable the sophomore sensation has been.

Carr is not only playing really good defense, but he’s becoming a threat offensively, too — and I’m not just talking about dunking.

The sophomore from Georgia had hit a three in consecutive games before Friday and while he didn’t attempt one against Ohio State, he made 7-of-8 free throws. He actually ended a stretch of 21 straight makes from the line but he was one of the main reasons the Spartans didn’t fold down the stretch. Carr is becoming a valuable two-way player for this team.

3. This team is legit

To start the year, no one really knew how good Michigan State basketball was. It started 2-0 before losing a tough game to No. 1 Kansas, but unfortunately that was expected. It then won three straight games before dropping one to Memphis. Since that loss to Memphis, Michigan State has gotten stronger every game. The Spartans have won seven straight, are 3-0 in the Big Ten, and will likely jump in the AP Top 25 next week.

This team is legit.

Michigan State is currently the lone 3-0 team in the Big Ten with UCLA and Michigan right behind at 2-0. The conference could very well run through East Lansing again this season and I wouldn’t be shocked.

A year ago, Michigan State loses a game like this.