Spartans-Falcons Game Recap

For much of the first half of today's MSU-Bowling Green contest, the Spartans looked as if they were still stuck in the doldrums that followed their Wednesday night loss to Duke. They shot 30% for much of the game's opening period, turned the ball over frequently, and carried a mere 6-point lead in the locker room against a MAC team that had dropped five straight games. So far, not so good.

But MSU came alive in the second half, outscoring Bowling Green 49-18 on their way to a much-needed, 74-39 win.  That scoring explosion was keyed by Korie Lucious, who drilled two straight three-pointers, and Draymond Green, whose early putback allowed MSU to extend their advantage to 22 within minutes. After a slow start both offensively and defensively, State ramped up their intensity, and showed us what's possible when they hit shots in bunches and put pressure on opposing teams. They ended the contest hitting a respectable 42% of their shots from beyond the arc, while allowing the Falcons to score just 20 points. They actually had open misses from three-point land as well-if they capitalize on more of those opportunities, they'll be able to put teams away even quicker.

However, in what could be the defining characteristic of this season so far, MSU again faced massive challenges with ball protection. The Spartans should consider themselves lucky that their 21 turnovers proved inconsequential, because as we saw on Wednesday night, giveaways can make all the difference in certain games, and it's safe to say that any one of MSU's upcoming battles with Syracuse or Texas could be decided by that stat.

But, on a positive note, they got valuable contributions from their budding young stars, Keith Appling and Adreian Payne.  Appling gave Tom Izzo 25 solid minutes, while scoring 11 points, dishing out three assists, and demonstrating command of the offense. Payne, on the other hand, ignited the Breslin Center crowd while at the same time filling up the stat sheet. Two of his four points came on a thunderous putback-dunk following a missed shot, and he fired up the Izzone with two gravity-defying blocks.
Another perennial leader and hustle player also keyed the Spartans victory, as Draymond Green recorded a double-double, netting ten points while pulling down twelve boards.

Today, the Spartans returned home, re-grouped, and delivered a victory, as expected. Following their previous performances in the national spotlight this season, not many will be picking MSU to roll into Madison Square Garden and leave with a win over an undefeated Syracuse team next Tuesday. But, if MSU plays as hard as they did in today's second half, they'll be right there in the game's final minutes, and they'll absolutely have a shot to win. As fans, that's all we can ask for. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

--Beau