Tag: Gabe Brown

3 Key Takeaways: Michigan State Basketball vs. Maryland

Michigan State Basketball suffered a brutal loss at the hands of the Maryland Terpins. Here are 3 key takeaways from this game.

[protected-iframe id=”bff90d5d34dcd5e05e91760fe12d7adc-142349028-168611744″ info=”//content.jwplatform.com/players/ofLF0moh-er0jUifI.html” width=”640″ height=”360″ frameborder=”0″]

Michigan State Spartans basketball suffered a dispiriting loss last night to Maryland, 67-60. The Terpins stood tall at the Breslin Center against a surging MSU team in the second half. Mostly thanks to Anthony Cowan Jr. and his 24 points. Now, the Spartans are 17-9 overall and 9-6 in Big Ten Conference games.

Here are three key takeaways from this game:

1. Starting Forward Spot Up For Grabs

Tom Izzo inserted Malik Hall back into the starting lineup in place of Marcus Bingham Jr. Unfortunately, this did not go well for the Spartans. Instead, Malik Hall made poor defensive decisions while shooting 0/2 from the floor. All in all, Hall only played a total of seven minutes in this game.

Marcus Bingham Jr. only played seven minutes as well. Thomas Kithier ended up being the primary Forward for Michigan State. Kithier played 22 total minutes, scoring six points. He also grabbed three boards and blocked one shot. We might get another heavy dose of Kithier against Nebraska.

2. Anthony Cowan Jr. Cooked MSU

Anthony Cowan Jr. went off against Michigan State. Cowan ended the game with 24 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Furthermore, Cowan went on a 10-0 run all by himself to close out the game for his team. No one could stop him from hitting outside shots nor getting to the basket. MSU must strategize better against a dynamic talent like Cowan Jr.

3. Offensive Woes Becoming Worriesome

The Spartans shot 21% from beyond the three-point line as a team. Even worse, only Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman scored in double digits, combining for 32 points. This offense looked really bleak throughout large portions of this game. Especially when MSU pulled ahead and could not sustain their lead.

The rest of Michigan State’s starters scored a total of 14 points. All of the Spartan’s bench scored a total of 14 points. In ten minutes, Gabe Brown did not score any points. That’s hard times. Hopefully, these hard times won’t last.

The Spartans are back in action against Nebraska this Thursday on Feb. 20. The game starts at 8:30 P.M. and broadcasts live on FS1.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

Michigan State Basketball vs. Illinois: 5 Most Important Players

Michigan State Basketball plays against Illinois this Tuesday in another Big Ten road game. Here are the 5 most important players.

Michigan State Basketball travels to the State Farm Center for a game against Illinois. The Fighting Illini are 3-2 in their last five games whereas MSU is 2-3 in their last five games. Another tough away game environment for the Spartans in this matchup.

Here are the five most important players in this game:

1. Aaron Henry

Aaron Henry sits atop my list of the five most important MSU players yet again. Henry did score in double digits against Michigan but he still struggles on the floor. The Sophomore Forward can still improve over the next month but the window of opportunity grows smaller and smaller with each game. Aaron Henry is the most important Spartan in this game against Illinois.

2. Gabe Brown

Gabe Brown failed to score against Michigan this past Saturday, shooting 0/5 from the floor. Keep in mind, MSU only lost by nine points against their interstate rival. So even just ten points from Gabe Brown swings this game in Michigan State’s favor. Watch for Brown to have an explosive bounce-back game against Illinois.

3. Xavier Tillman

Xavier Tillman put up a sneaky 17 points and 12 rebounds against Michigan. I think Tillman should be more aggressive as a scorer. Sometimes, he gets the ball down low and looks to pass to a perimeter teammate. Instead, Tillman should put his body against the defender and score or draw contact. He is a reliable source of high-quality shots more often than not.

4. Rocket Watts

Rocket Watts had a quiet game against the Wolverines with seven points off the bench. Watts gives Michigan State a great scoring spark when Cassius Winston rests on the bench. More importantly, he allows Winston to play off-ball when paired together in the backcourt. Rocket Watts scoring ability is critical for Michigan State’s success during the final stretch of the season.

5. Kyle Ahrens

Kyle Ahrens is the furthest thing from a flashy player. Instead, he is a grit and grind type of guy. Ahrens’ energy and hustle are inspirational. Plus, he can hit three-point shots when open. Kyle can easily swing an MSU game with three or four shots from beyond the arc. As a result, I think he is pretty important in this intense road game situation.

Michigan State and Illinois play at 9 P.M. this Tuesday on ESPN. Cheer on the Spartans and stay with us on SpartansWire for more coverage to come.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

3 Key Takeaways: Michigan State Basketball loses to Michigan at Crisler Center

Michigan State Basketball suffered a loss at the hands of Michigan yesterday at the Crisler Center. Here are 3 key takeaways from this game.

Michigan State lost yesterday to Michigan at the Crisler Center, 77-68. The Spartans suffered from yet another slow start in a ruckus, away crowd atmosphere. As a result, MSU moves to 16-8 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten Conference play.

Here are three key takeaways from this game.

1. Slow Starts Haunt MSU

Michigan State scored no more than five points in the first ten minutes of this game. Yes, this is a real statistic. The Spartans can no longer start games in such a slow manner. Especially when playing a rivalry game in an intense away game situation. MSU needs to make changes and needs a big scoring spark early on in games.

2. Sophomore Slump

Right now, Michigan State’s sophomores are in a brutal slump. In particular, Gabe Brown and Aaron Henry are struggling mightily against Big Ten opponents. Brown and Henry combined for 11 total points. Brown went 0/5 from the floor for a total of zero points whereas Henry scored 11 points on 3/8 shooting from the floor. There is still time left in the season but both players must contribute higher point totals.

3. Let’s Not Panic Just Yet

As I mentioned earlier this week, the Big Ten boasts some serious depth. Not to mention that Michigan hit its stride at the right time, adding Isaiah Livers back to their lineup against MSU. Livers contributed a smooth 14 points on 5/10 shooting in his return against the Spartans. Let’s not panic just yet, Michigan State still has time to figure things out.

The Spartans face off against Illinois next on Feb. 11, this upcoming Tuesday. The game takes place at 9 P.M and broadcasts live on ESPN.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

No. 16 Michigan State Basketball vs Michigan: 5 Most Important Players

Michigan State Basketball plays interstate rival Michigan for the second time this season. Here are the 5 most important MSU players.

Michigan State and Michigan face off in their second basketball game of the season. This time, the Spartans play in the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. In their last meeting, MSU beat the Wolverines 87-69.

Here are the five most important players in this game:

1. Aaron Henry

I will always include Aaron Henry on my five most important players. Michigan State needs Henry now more than ever before. Joshua Langford is not walking through that door. Joey Hauser is not walking through that door. Aaron Henry has the physical abilities and basketball IQ, he just needs to put everything together. There is still time left in the season.

2. Xavier Tillman

Xavier Tillman scored 16 points in the last two games. Simply put, he must score in double digits each and every game. MSU really lacks offensive depth right now due to Aaron Henry’s struggles and Joshua Langford’s injury. On a more positive note, Tillman has grabbed 25 rebounds in the past two games and has blocked six shots. He must provide a balanced performance against Michigan tomorrow.

3. Gabe Brown

Gabe Brown is supremely athletic but struggles to score at a consistent clip. Brown’s three-point shooting is crucial to the MSU offense. Right now, the Spartans desperately need more perimeter scoring. 18 points or more from Brown works wonders against the Wolverines this Saturday.

4. Marcus Bingham Jr.

Michigan Center Jon Teske is really pesky in low post situations. Marcus Bingham Jr. played well against Teske in their last matchup. Now, he must show up to play at a high level against Jon Teske yet again. Marcus Bingham Jr. is a core piece of MSU’s defense in each and every game.

5. Rocket Watts

Michigan boasts a good group of perimeter players. As a result, Rocket Watts must step up on both ends of the court. Watts will likely matchup against a talented guard on defense. On offense, he must help spark the Spartans during scoring droughts. Luckily, Rocket Watts is hitting his stride at the perfect time.

The Spartans and Wolverines play at 12 P.M. this Saturday on Fox. SpartansWire has all the MSU Basketball coverage you need and more.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

Game Recap: MSU Basketball defeats UCLA 75-62

Michigan State Basketball defeats the UCLA Bruins 75-62 in their final Maui Jim Maui Invitational game. Here is a quick game recap.

Maui wowie, what a game! Michigan State defeates UCLA 75-62 in their final Maui Jim Maui Invitational game. The Spartans pulled away late in the second half. No question that MSU did not meet fan expectations in this particular game and the tournament as a whole.

Here is a quick game recap:

First Half

Michigan State really struggled early on, mostly due to UCLA’s defense. The Bruins played tough defense against the Spartans around the rim. MSU players had extreme difficulty getting into the paint. On the bright side, Marcus Bingham had two stern blocks at the start of the game.

The Bruins held the Spartans captive in terms of pace. UCLA used up all of the shot clock on nearly each and every possession. Furthermore, they focused on transition defense, allowing no easy baskets. MSU struggled at first against this defensive strategy but got back on pace with time. Eventually, the Spartans found their rhythm.

Late in the half, MSU went on a beautiful 10-2 run. Cassius Winston got loose in transition for an off-balance three. He later hit another three to bring it to 24-20. Unfortunately, Michigan State lost a shooter in the corner. On the next play though, Winston got a nice layup off a second chance opportunity.

At the end of the first half, MSU led UCLA 26-23.

Second Half

Tom Izzo changed the starting lineup to start the second half, replacing Aaron Henry with Gabe Brown. Almost immediately, Marcus Bingham blocked his third shot at the rim. On the other end, Gabe Brown is wide open in the corner and wets a three. Then, Rocket Watts played tough defense to force a UCLA shot clock violation. On the next offensive possession, Brown hit yet another three and gave MSU a 36-25 lead.

Michigan State failed to take advantage of UCLA switches but that did not matter. The refs continued to make poor call after poor call but that did not matter. The Spartans were on a mission. Rocket Watts drove to the rim, absorbed contact, and hit the shot.

Winston hit his third three of the game to give MSU a 41-30 lead. Then, Malik Hall had a wonderful couple of possessions. Hall drew a foul for free throws, hit a turnaround elbow jumper, and then drew yet another foul for more free throws on three consecutive possessions.

Rocket Watts hit a smooth step-back and-one shot. With 10 minutes left in the game, MSU pulls away and Winston shows out. Aaron Henry, who was hounded by Izzo all game long, drove and kicked the ball to Tillman for a bucket. UCLA did not give up though, instead they clawed back to single digits, MSU led 61-52.

Malik Hall fouled out of the game with less than five minutes left in the game. I don’t blame Hall though. The refs called fouls on him for simply standing in front of defenders. Finally, Xavier Tillman woke up. Tillman had a humungous block at one end then a nice dunk on the other end.

UCLA was still within striking distance down nine points to MSU. Winston found Tillman for an easy bucket at the rim. Then, Rocket Watts closed out the game for the Spartans. Watts hit an ice-cold three-point shot in transition to put Michigan State out of striking distance. Again, what a game.

Check out some highlights below:

I’m sure there are critical fans out there but please relax. Remember, it’s just November. Tom Izzo is playing a lot of young guys. It will take time for them to get in the full swing of things. For example, Rocket Watts just put up a career-high 12 points. I imagine his numbers continue to trend upwards.

Spartan’s Basketball is back in action against Duke on Dec. 3 at 9:30 P.M. Michigan State will retire Draymond Green’s jersey at this game. Be sure to tune into ESPN to cheer on the Spartans.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

Game Recap: MSU Basketball coughs up 71-66 loss to Virginia Tech

Michigan State Basketball lost to Virginia Tech 71-66 in frustration fashion. Here is a quick game recap for anyone that missed the game.

Michigan State Basketball lost in frustrating fashion to the Virginia Tech Hokies, 71-66 in the opening round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. This game was incredibly close all throughout. The Spartans played right into the hands of the Hokies in the first half. Then in the second, things only got worse.

Here is a quick recap of this game:

First Half

Boy, the first half was pretty rough. One stretch was so bad that MSU only shot one of nine from the floor. Even worse, Cassius Winston had zero points in the first half. That is just not good. The Spartans need other players to provide positive plays besides Winston. If Cassius struggles, Michigan State is vulnerable, to say the least.

Virginia Tech defended transition points quite well. They made sure to get all five players back on defense each and every possession. Meanwhile, Winston racked up two fouls and had to sit early on. This brought in Foster Loyer and put Rocket Watts at the PG position.

Rocket drilled a three right in front of the Virginia Tech bench. Unfortunately, he also turned the ball over twice on back to back possessions. This brought the turnover total to 10 before the end of the first half. Virginia Tech simply spaced the floor against MSU. The Spartans could not stop helping on driving defenders. As a result, the Hokies hit threes at a solid clip in the first half.

Virginia Tech pulled ahead at the half, 32-28.

Second Half

The second half was even more frustrating than the first. Michigan State shot themselves in the foot time after time in the second half. I can’t tell you what was worse between the sloppy offense and unintelligent defense. MSU opened the second half with more turnovers and blown defensive assignments.

Virginia Tech tallied seven three with nine minutes left in the game. One three came as the result of Thomas Kithier leaving his defensive assignment wide open in the corner for a three. On the other end, Michigan State continued to cough up the ball to Virginia Tech. The Spartans totaled 16 turnovers with nearly five minutes left in the game, yikes.

Despite turnovers and missed three-point shots, MSU kept this game close down to the very end. Gabe Brown hit a clutch corner three to bring the game to 59-52, Virginia Tech’s lead. Winston later hit a three in transition to bring the Spartans within four points.

Two minutes left in the game and Landers Nolley stepped up big for Virginia Tech. Nolley came down and scored a bucket right at the rim through two MSU defenders. On the other end, Xavier Tillman put the ball on the floor then kicked it out to a wide-open Aaron Henry for three. This bucket brought Michigan State within one, 65-64.

Unfortunately, Landers Nolley came right back with a three of his own. He scored back to back buckets to put his team ahead. Spartan Guard Kyle Ahrens drove baseline and scored, but, it did little to help the Spartans. Wabissa Bede grabbed the board. MSU tried to extend the game with intentional fouls to no avail.

Where did this game go wrong? Turnovers, Virginia Tech threes, and Winston’s poor play. I know, I hate to say it too. Cassius is the leader of this team though. He cannot score only seven points on 2-8 shooting from the floor.

Michigan State plays against Georgia tomorrow at 2:30 P.M. You can catch this game on ESPN2 as well.

Stay locked on SpartansWire for more coverage to come.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

MSU Basketball squares off against Virginia Tech: Five Most Important Players

Michigan State plays Virginia Tech in the first round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Here are the five most important Spartan players.

Folks, it’s that special time of year. The Maui Jim Maui Invitational is here! Michigan State faces off against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first round at the Lahaina Civic Center tomorrow at 5 P.M.

Here are the five most important players for MSU in this game:

Xavier Tillman

Outside of the talent disparity, Virginia Tech’s roster is not all that different from Kentucky’s roster. They have a strong Guard rotation on the perimeter. Down low though, Virginia Tech lacks depth. Michigan State must take advantage of this flaw. This is why Xavier Tillman is the most important Spartan in this game.

Tillman is averaging 12 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 48.6% shooting from the floor. Xavier should clean the glass all game long. Virginia Tech’s defense will close in on Tillman and this frees up the guards. He must inflict his will upon this game.

Aaron Henry

As I noted in my scouting report, Landers Nolley is the best Hokies basketball player. Cassius Winston and Rocket Watts are the better Guard defenders, but, both are too smaller for Nolley. Henry appeared to hurt both of his ankles in a freak play against Charleston Southern. After the game, Henry stated he was completely fine.

I think Izzo will call on Henry to matchup against Landers. Nolley has a slightly bigger frame than Henry. Henry stands at 6’6″ and Nolley stands at 6’7″. What’s most important is that Aaron can keep with Landers driving to the rim. How Henry handles this matchup is huge for Michigan State.

Malik Hall

Malik Hall is not just fun to watch, he is now vital to the Spartan’s offense. Hall makes high-energy plays on the boards in every single game. All the while, he can shoot the three at a very effective clip.

Much like Tillman, I expect Hall to have quite the game against Virginia Tech. He can exploit the lack of Forward depth by stretching out the defense. This opens up the lane for Winston to attack. Meanwhile, he’s washing windows all day long.

Gabe Brown

Gabe Brown’s importance in this game is quite similar to Aaron Henry’s importance. As a 6’7″ Forward, Brown will be asked to guard Landers Nolley at various points in this game. He must be ready for this responsibility. We all know him for high flying dunks. Can he defend at a high level against a spectacular scorer like Nolley? We’re all about to find out.

Foster Loyer

Okay, hear me out. I know fans think Foster Loyer has underperformed this year, but, that does not shrink his level of importance. As I mentioned earlier, the Virginia Tech roster is guard-heavy. Cassius Winston can only play so many minutes. So MSU will call on Foster Loyer at certain points in this game.

Loyer certainly must play better in this game than he has so far on the year. He needs to shoot the ball better from a distance. More importantly, he must play with confidence. Loyer can pass and can attack the rim. His development as a secondary playmaker to Winston is crucial for the Spartans.

You’ll note, I did not include Cassius Winston on this list. At this point, Winston is consistent in performance. He will show up against Virginia Tech. It’s more important for all of his Spartan teammates also play at a high level. Kentucky trapped Winston as much as possible and forced the ball out of his hands. He will rely heavily on teammates to deliver on crucial possessions

Michigan State takes on Virginia Tech tomorrow at 5 P.M. You can catch this game on ESPN2.

Stay with us on SpartansWire for coverage of this game and all the Spartan basketball info you need.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

MSU vs. Virginia Tech: Three Things To Watch

Michigan State Basketball takes on Virginia Tech in the first round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Here are three things to watch.

The Maui Jim Maui invitational kicks off on Nov. 25 and the Spartans are in action against the Virginia Tech Hokies. This will be a true test for Michigan State as the Hokies are 5-0 on the season.

Here are three things to watch in this game:

Guard Matchups

There are six forwards and nine guards on the Virginia Tech roster. Guards do a lot for the Hokies on a nightly basis. As a result, Michigan State must dominate on the perimeter defensively to win this game. If not, It is likely that Virginia Tech walks away with a victory.

One player, in particular, stands out as a potential defensive nightmare for the Spartans. Freshman Landers Nolley is a 6’7″ Guard and can score both at the rim and from a distance. His height is the biggest issue for Michigan State. Cassius Winston and Rocket Watts are not tall enough to guard Nolley effectively.

Tom Izzo must scheme against Nolley with smart matchups. Maybe he throws a combination of Aaron Henry and Gabe Brown out against Nolley. Trapping Landers Nolley should be a top priority for MSU. I’d make everyone else on that Hokies roster step up.

Big Man Dominance

Michigan State should take advantage of Virginia Tech’s lack of big man talent. First of all, Xavier Tillman can eat in this game. I’m talking 20 plus points and 10 or more boards. Throw in a few assists as well. He will be the determining factor for the Spartans against the Hokies.

Beyond Tillman, look for Hall & Marble to get some important minutes. I think that Marble looked great against Charleston Southern and should get some minutes in this game. Malik Hall has shown why he deserves to play heavy minutes with his three-point shooting and hustle around the rim.

Gabe Brown Dunks

Gabe Brown is so much fun to watch. He charges at the rim with overwhelming ferocity whenever given the chance. Watch for this to continue in this game and every other game for MSU. Brown’s energy clearly lifts up this team. Don’t believe so? Watch his teammate’s reactions during the next big dunk. They love it and so do the fans.

Michigan State plays against Virginia Tech at 5 P.M. Eastern Time. We will have more coverage before this game, during, and after. Stay locked on SpartansWire for all the info you need.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

MSU blows out Charleston Southern: Three Key Takeaways

Michigan State basketball handled their business against Charleston Southern in a 94-46 win. Here are three key takeaways from this game.

Everyone relax, there is no need to overreact. Michigan State basketball shined in this blowout 94-46 victory over Charleston Southern, but, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Spartans must focus on bigger opponents in the future like Virginia Tech & Duke.

Here are three key takeaways from this game:

Gabe Brown Is Here

Boy oh boy, Gabe Brown looks like a stud. Aaron Henry sat out with a sprained ankle. As a result, Brown played 28 minutes against Charleston Southern. Gabe scored 12 points on 5-7 from the floor. Plus, he tallied up 6 boards, one assist, and one block.

Brown’s development adds depth at the Forward position for Michigan State. Especially if he continues his solid defensive play. Opponents best Forwards will face either Aaron Henry or Gabe Brown as a matchup. That’s a tough ask. Best of all, Gabe looks incredibly confident on the floor.

Xavier Tillman Fulfilling Potential

There were some question marks coming into the season for MSU’s Center spot. I mean, most people would put money on Tillman starting, but, how good would he be? Well guys and gals, he is good.

Tillman ended the night with 21 points on 9-12 shooting from the floor along with 10 rebounds, four assists, and a block. He missed two threes but that’s okay, as long as he keeps taking them. As a Center, you must prove to defenders that you will take open threes. If not, the defense will not respect you from distance.

The most important stat here is definitely Tillman’s four assists. One Spartan must step up as a secondary playmaker in these games. Cassius Winston cannot be the lone playmaker or teams will easily scheme against MSU’s offense. Luckily, Tillman and Rocket Watts have both tallied up plenty of assists as of late.

Young Players Developing Confidence

There are a lot of young guys on this Spartan’s roster coming into their own. In particular, I think of Malik Hall, Rocket Watts, and Foster Loyer. Loyer has a long way to go, but, he is showing some flashes.

Malik Hall came back down to earth against Charleston Southern. Regardless, he still rebounded the ball extremely well and had a few put back points. He even found a few teammates for three assists. The Spartans need some energy off of the bench and Hall plays that role well.

Rocket Watts continues to get better and better each game. Especially when it comes to dishing the rock. Watts ended the night with six assists, including a sick alley-oop to Gabe Brown. Most impressive is his ability to rebound as a Guard. Expect big things from Watts in the tournament this year.

MSU’s next basketball game is against Virginia Tech on Nov. 25 at 5 P.M. You can catch this game on ESPN2.

Stay locked on SpartansWire for more basketball coverage to come.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

Michigan State Basketball’s Gabe Brown throws down huge dunk against Charleston Southern

MSU Basketball won big against Charleston Southern tonight and this Gabe Brown dunk says it all.

By the time you read this, Michigan State Men’s Basketball will have probably already beaten Charleston Southern. As I am typing this MSU is up 87-40 so I don’t think I’m jinxing anything by saying that. Anyway, this was a fun game and a nice change of pace from the drama-filled win over Seton Hall. In my favorite highlight of the game, Gabe Brown threw down a huge dunk over Charleston Southern, putting the exclamation point on a huge game.

You can watch it below:

Steven Izzo just checked in so this thing is over folks.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]