Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from Spartans win over Notre Dame

It does not matter who starts

A whole article could have been written about who is going to be Michigan State’s starting point guard, especially after Foster Loyer started and hit six of ten threes on his way to 20 points versus Eastern Michigan, while Rocket Watts scored a single basket in two fewer minutes.

If Watt’s’ bruised knee was not enough of an indicator, Saturday’s game versus Notre Dame made it a little more clear, that Rocket Watts will eventually be the Spartans’ starting point guard.

The Notre Dame guards were able to expose Loyer on the defensive end, particularly being able to overpower him in the paint and out-quick him on the perimeter. Regardless of when Watts begins getting consistent starts at point guard, the minute distribution should remain relatively close. Loyer is more than capable of handling big minutes and he is a different look for defenders as his mix of consistency and hustle will wear down opponents.

Another position battle, that does not matter is at the center position. As of Saturday Thomas Kithier started both games Michigan State has played, yet his time on the court only surpassed Marcus Bingham by two minutes. Bingham on the other hand has outscored Kithier by five points and grabbed five more rebounds. Like Watts, Bingham will end up the starting center, but it does not matter.