Spartans sluggish in win over Indiana

Tom Izzo's understudy returned to the Michigan State campus on Saturday afternoon in East Lansing. After 40 minutes of full-tilt basketball, Tom Crean's Indiana team might not have scared the Spartans on the scoreboard, but they definitely forced the Big Ten leader to work harder at the offensive end of the court.
 
Yes, the outcome of this conference tussle became fairly clear early in the second half, when Michigan State used its defense to pull away from the Hoosiers. Despite the 75-47 win, however, the Spartans didn't look particularly impressive, and will have to become a more effective offensive ballclub in the run-up to March Madness.

If ever a 28-point win could be deceiving, this game was defense exhibit A... emphasis on the word "defense." In Crean's first game at the Breslin Center since his Michigan State days in the late 1990s--when the enthusiastic coach helped Izzo to MSU's first Final Four since the Jud Heathcote era--two coaches were able to see their mirror image reflected on the floor. Izzo and Crean had to beam with pride as both of their ballclub’s spilled the tank on defense. Neither team could consistently drive to the basket or break down defenders with dribble penetration. Rebounds came at a considerable physical price, and any open look was well earned.
 
Michigan State created open perimeter jumpers with more ease than Indiana, but when the Spartans couldn't knock down medium-range shots, the Hoosiers were able to continue to clog the lane against a quicker and stronger opponent. Both defenses excelled in the first 30 minutes of this contest, a reality that revealed the Spartans' offensive inefficiency for most of the afternoon. While MSU does indeed pride itself on defense, the Hoosiers' own ability to guard and rebound had to concern Izzo as his team looks ahead to March.

Kalin Lucas--easily the quickest player on the floor--could not get to the rim at will in this game. Goran Suton, for all of his experience in the low post, had only modest success at carving out room on the blocks and creating high-percentage looks. Despite forcing over 20 turnovers in this game, the Spartans were rarely able to run with success against Crean's kids, who exhibited stellar transition defense. All in all, when one considers the extent to which Michigan State dwarfs Indiana in terms of length and quickness at all spots on the floor, it was very surprising to see the Hoosiers hang with Sparty so consistently on defense. If not for an unexpectedly tremendous performance from bench player Draymond Green, who powered his way to 15 points (many of them on put-backs) and 12 boards, Michigan State might have had a close game on its hands heading into the final minutes.
 
A hard-earned, blue-collar Big Ten victory will never be the source of too much complaining... not after home losses to Northwestern and Penn State. Nevertheless, this game reminded Izzo how great an assistant he once had... and how much the Spartans will have to improve if they want to play at Ford Field roughly two months from now.

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