+3 and -3, X's and O's, Misc. from MSU vs. Ohio State,
+3
1. Nick Ward out of double-teams. So much better than last year. He didn't reverse pivot out. He didn't throw it back to the man who entered. He was able to see the floor, jump in the air, and skip it to the top or opposite. No way for the defense to react. Smart teams (including UM) will keep doubling, so he has to continue to attack in that way.
2. GUTS. That's what it takes to win a game like this on the road. Especially down 9 in the 2nd half. 100% sure last year's team was more talented. Which team has more guts? The ability to respond to adversity? That might end up being this team.
3. Get real with 76% from the floor on the road against a 12-1 top 15 team. Great job sharing the ball. Seemed like the only time we weren't scoring was if we turned it over. Another big part is this MSU team is GREAT at entering the post. Starts with Tillman/Goins, goes down to McQuaid and Cash.
-3
1. I think we still have a lot of room for improvement with post defense. Tillman and Goins are just not big enough. Ward sometimes allows post players to get too deep and falls for fakes.. I know that digging down is the first go-to normally when a big starts going off. Just think sending an opposite-double, showing a front, doubling from a certain player, would at least give opponents something else to plan for and for MSU to have a plan B/C when post players start owning us like Wesson did. Just a little variety...
2. Only 12 turnovers, but OSU had only 5. -7 in turnover differential is giving away too many possessions.
3. 33% from "3" from one of the nation's better 3-point shooting teams.
X's and O's
The high-low game MSU has going right now is better than I can ever remember it. Coach is starting to use even new ways to get that look and do so while opposing defenders are engaged so they can't sink and help. Late in the first half, MSU went to a half-court look I've never seen them run. Picture 1 PG, 2 wings, Tillman/Goins at the FT line, and Ward on the block, kind of a 1-3-1 alignment. Goins chased wherever the ball went to ball screen. After he did, he popped, caught the ball, then looked to Ward as he sealed his man on the block. It's so much fun each game to see all the new wrinkles Izzo/Fife put in to get Ward post touches.
Misc
- Agree with all takes that Ahrens was solid and dependability meter keeps going up. I thought he
was really solid on the defensive end in this game.
- If Winston can be just average, 5 out of 10, on the defensive end, he is the B1G POY.
- McQuaid plays 30 minutes and he is the only Spartan without a turnover. So impressive.
- Loyer's first stint was solid. Had a good look at a "3" that just didn't go and took a charge at 10:37 that the official terribly called a block.
- Aaron Henry really needs the 1-2 dribble pull-up game. Charged at the 5:45 mark when a mid-range jumper was wide open to him.
- The back-door cuts we got beat on in the first half weren't even set plays, just us losing man and ball. Lots of defensive errors in the first half. That 43 points was some of MSU's worst defense of the year.
- The number of ways Cassius Winston can finish at the rim is crazy. I've watched MSU do their flips/spins rim finish workout by their guards. Really pays off.
- Favorite possession of the game was at 14:51 of 2nd half. Goins rebound, hits Winston streaking towards center court. Quick "up" to Ahrens who passes up a "3" to enter the post to Tillman. Tillman flips the ball from the right block to the left-corner to Henry, who bangs the 3, and well, we know what Tillman thought about that!
- What a struggle offensively for Kenny. Missed 4-5 uncontested shots from 15 feet and in.
- So fun to watch Goins/Tillman throw the high-low post pass into Ward especially as trailer in transition.
- 81% at the free throw line...awesome.
- Another rebounding win, 37-26.