V-Cast: Michigan State matches Maryland physicality in crucial victory
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State got its first series sweep of Big Ten play on Saturday evening with a 63-54 win over Maryland, which to this point in the season has been the best defensive team in the Big Ten. The Spartans led by a single point with under six minutes remaining in the second half when senior forward Malik Hall took the game over.
After the Spartans moved their conference record above .500 for the first time this season, SpartanMag.com staffers Jim Comparoni and Paul Konyndyk checked in from the Breslin Center with commentary and analysis in the latest V-Cast.
With the win, Michigan State finds itself in a four-way tie with Nebraska and Northwestern for fourth place in the Big Ten.
V-CAST TOPICS
Michigan State shows physicality in win over Maryland: This is far from Tom Izzo’s most physical basketball team, but the Spartans did measure against one of the most physical teams in the Big Ten Conference. Although the Spartans weren’t always the more physical of these two teams, when it mattered Michigan State asserted its collective will. Mady Sissoko set the tone early, while Carson Cooper carried the torch for the Spartans in the second half. Malik Hall played one of his better all-around games of the season.
Malik Hall steps up: Michigan State coach Tom Izzo challenged Malik Hall at halftime after the senior forward was outplayed by his Maryland counterpart Donta Scott in the first 20 minutes of this game. Hall answered that challenge with a decisive second-half response. Hall scored 14 points in the second half to finish with 19 points and seven rebounds in the win. In that second half, Hall contributed eight points in a critical 10-0 Spartan run, during which he hit a big 3-pointer and made several clutch free throws for the Spartans. Hall played at a high level for the Spartans in the second half despite logging 18 minutes after halftime.
Tough Minnesota team on tap: After grinding out a win over Maryland at home, Michigan State turns its attention to a tough Minnesota ballclub. The Golden Gophers have momentum entering Tuesday night’s game after beating Northwestern at home on Saturday afternoon. The Golden Gophers gave the Spartans everything they could handle in the first meeting between these two teams at the Breslin Center last month despite playing without star point guard Elijah Hawkins. Getting a road win in Minneapolis will not be easy for Izzo’s ballclub.
