V-Cast: Comparoni & Konydyk discuss Michigan State's victory over Rutgers and eye next 11 games
East Lansing, Mich. – In the latest edition of the SpartanMag V-Cast, we went SpartanMag LIVE! style, with Associate Editor Paul Konyndyk joining Jim Comparoni from a remote location to discuss Michigan State’s 73-56 victory over Rutgers on Sunday at Breslin Center.
Items discussed, Tre Holloman’s impact off the bench for Michigan State:
“Tre Holloman was excellent,” Comparoni said. “The offense was a little stagnant at times and that thing was a close game and it had all the earmarks of being a game that might go down to the wire, but during that time when Michigan State needed a spark, it was Tre Holloman. Statistically, he had just an okay game with nine points, three field goals – but all three were 3-pointers – six assists, no turnovers. He did a little bit of point guard, a little of shooting guard, he was a huge factor in getting this thing on track and winning this game. I know he has had other games when he has scored more, but in terms of all-around game and impact on a situation, I don’t know when Tre Holloman has had a more important, better game than this.”
“The only way you can confidence in going to that small lineup is if you know that you can get rebounding from the group. I know that Carson Cooper only had five rebounds today but this is one of his better rebounding performances in my opinion because Rutgers is a physical team and they will put a body on you. And I saw him getting two hands on the rebound and pulling it away from contact. When he can rebound as well as he did today, you can small. And the same thing with Mady Sissoko when he’s in there with the small lineup.”
Comparoni also detailed the components of Michigan State’s 19-0 run in the second half, with bench players Holloman, Cooper and Coen Carr playing a major role. But it began with consecutive field goals by Malik Hall.
The rundown:
* Coming out of a time out, the Spartans were ready for Rutgers’ move to a zone defense. Hall scored on a dunk within the zone offense, with Cooper delivering a key screen. That gave Michigan State the lead for good at 37-36.
* Hall posted up and backed down Rutgers’ Oskar Palmquist, and scored with a half-hook while being fouled. The free throw made it 40-36.
* Tyson Walker hit a 3-pointer in transition, assist Tre Holloman (43-36).
* Holloman hit a 3-pointer in transition (fueled by a defensive rebound from Cooper). (46-36).
* Cooper with a dunk, via Holloman’s drive, draw and dish (48-36).
* Jaden Akins hit a 3-pointer from the left corner (51-36), recovering an AJ Hoggard fumble with the shot clock about to expire.
* Carr flashed to the mid-post, missed a 10-footer, grabbed the offensive rebound and scored while being fouled. The free throw made it 54-36 and ended the 19-0 run.
