MSU narrowly escapes Northwestern

It took everything the Spartans had to win tonight, and then some. In a surprisingly competitive and close game, MSU prevailed by the skin of their teeth thanks to an inspired effort from Draymond Green, (and a solid performance from Kalin Lucas), in a 65-62 win over the host Wildcats.

This game went back-and-forth as  Northwestern kept pace behind ten three-pointers and double-digit scoring efforts from three starters, including an injured John Shurna. The gangly forward played 39 minutes on a bum leg, and while he shot 1-of-11 from the field (including a 1-for-5 effort from beyond the arc), he made eight of the team-high 11 free throws he shot, while at the same time finishing with three assists. More than Shurna though, guard Drew Crawford provided a spark for an undermanned Wildcat squad, as he led the team with 17 points.


Draymond Green dunks during a Spartan away game earlier this year.
Green had 15 points to lead MSU to a 65-62 win over Northwestern
tonight. Photo courtesy of google.com

 
For Michigan State though, the biggest key was Draymond Green. The undersized forward not only led the Spartans in scoring, but looked like a go-to offensive threat in the process. Although he had a late offensive foul and several ill-advised passes throughout the game, the good outweighed the bad for the junior forward tonight. While that hasn't always been the case for the Saginaw native, that's great news for a State team that needs fewer mistakes from him as the Big Ten season continues.

However, Green's late, lead-extending putback after a missed Kalin Lucas free throw shouldn't have been necessary. The Wildcats didn't do one specific thing extraordinarily well (they were outrebounded by the Spartans, shot 31% from the field, and had fewer assists and blocks than MSU), but still stayed within ten in the second half, and actually had a shot to win late.  Looking at the line-up they put on the floor (which featured three starters who played over 35 minutes), the tough Spartans should've put this one away much sooner.

 But, the Wildcats are clearly much better than they've been in the past, and it appears that what was once a sure win has definitely become more difficult. On that note, MSU has to be glad to leave with a conference victory. They also know what kind of a game they're in store for when they meet the Wildcats later this Big Ten season-at that point, John Shurna could be healthy and on-target from long-range.
If that happens, the Spartans could be in trouble. They should consider themselves lucky they avoided that tonight.

--Beau