Michigan State Basketball: Spartans survive Wichita State’s comeback attempt

By Carmine Carcieri | Nov 25, 2016

Nov 25, 2016; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the first half against the Wichita State Shockers in the 2016 Battle 4 Atlantis in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Tom Izzo’s Michigan State basketball team finished in third place in the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Despite being ranked 24th in the AP Poll, the Michigan State Spartans are not an elite basketball team just yet, especially on the offensive end of the floor.

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However, after seven games, a brutal travel schedule and a loaded preseason tournament in Atlantis, Tom Izzo’s team sits at 4-3.

The Spartans capped off their Battle 4 Atlantis experience with a 77-72 win over Wichita State to finish in third place out of eight teams. The Shockers almost completed an 18-point rally late in the second half, but Miles Bridges hit two three pointers and some late defensive stops helped the Spartans leave Imperial Arena with a 2-1 record.

Michigan State was led Bridges, who scored 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting (4-of-8 from three) and grabbed four boards. They also got a much needed lift from Eron Harris (13 points) and two key role players, Matt McQuaid and Nick Ward, who scored 13 points apiece. Even Lourawls ‘Tum Tum’ Nairn Jr. got in on the fun as he dished out 12 assists.

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The Spartans lost Bridges at the 8:41 mark in the 1st half due to two personal fouls, but instead of folding against a tough defensive team in the Shockers, they went on a quick 13-4 run. Michigan State led the Shockers by 10 points at the half and it seemed like they were headed for an easy blow out victory.

Despite building an 18-point lead mid-way through the second half, the Shockers implemented a vaunted press that caught Michigan State off guard. MSU started turning the basketball over and pointing fingers, all while letting the Shockers pick up enough momentum to claw back into the game.

Third place ultimately came down to two poor possessions by Wichita State. The first was a transition opportunity that turned into an ill-advised mid-range jumper by Markis McDuffie, and the other was a last second three point heave by Daishon Smith when Wichita State was down by only three points.

The Shockers, who are now 5-2, were led by Darral Willis Jr. (16 points), Smith (13 points), Rauno Nurger (12 points) and McDuffie (10 points). Their inability to stop Michigan State’s ball movement (20 assists on 26 field goals) and lack of rebounding (they only out-rebounded a thin MSU team by one) turned out to be the difference in the game.

For all that has happened to Michigan State early in this season, they have to be feeling good about themselves. They won two games (St. John’s and Wichita State) in a tough Battle 4 Atlantis field and they are above .500 despite relying on four freshman.

And don’t forget about the schedule. The Spartans have gone from Hawaii to New York to the Bahamas, and they will still have to travel to the Cameron Indoor Center on Tuesday for a battle against Duke.

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The Spartans are only going to get better as the season goes on. And we all know that Izzo’s team’s always hit their stride when March rolls around. If they get Gavin Schilling back and the freshman continue to develop as expected, Michigan State could be in solid shape even with their obvious offensive flaws.

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