Michigan State Basketball: Why Spartans are legit 2018-19 title contenders

1. Elite Defense

Defense wins championships. Announcers say it, coaches say it, and players know it. This could be the case for Michigan State this year. In years past the Spartans have always been able to defend but have never had an elite shut down defender to anchor their defense. That has changed this year in regard to Michigan State. Coach Izzo has a lock down defender that he can put on one man, and that is usually the best scorer on the opposing team.

Matt McQuaid is the player who has shown he has elite defensive skills. The senior guard has been the key piece on the defensive end, and every game has been tasked with shutting down the opposition. So far in the league he has shut down two of the more elite scorers in the country in Carsen Edwards and James Palmer Jr. While Palmer still scored 24 points most of those points were after the game was well decided, and 11 of them came at the line. Carsen Edwards was held to 11 points for the game.

The defense rarely ever allows teams to get a clean look at the basket. If a team does get a clean look at the basket the middle is packed with shot blockers and big bodies who alter virtually every shot that goes to the rim. Michigan State is an elite defensive rebounding team, and limits opponents’ possessions to one look at the basket each time. Minimizing the possessions and using those rebounds to get out in transition is a way for easy offense. It also is a way to blow a game wide open. Defense should always travel. In the NCAA tournament where it may take time to get adjusted to the new rims and sight lines, the best way to ensure you keep yourself in the game is with an elite defense. The Spartans check that box.