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Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from Duke win in Champions Classic

By Carter Landis

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Champions Classic
Julius Marble Michigan State Basketball (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Strong depth for Spartans

It’s almost like Michigan State has two starting lineups.

While the Spartans started the game with Rocket Watts (who had come off the bench behind Foster Loyer the last few games), Joshua Langford, Aaron Henry, Joey Hauser, and Thomas Kithier, and while they got production from their starters, the bench proved to be one of the difference-makers in the win.

Two of the Spartans’ 2019 recruiting class players, Malik Hall and Julius Marble, were two of the best players on the floor last night. Hall comes off the bench for Tom Izzo as an energy forward who can play the 3, a lot of small-ball 4, and sometimes even some 5. He had his first career double-double, recording 10 points and 10 rebounds. Marble scored 12 points with two rebounds, going a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, including a monster dunk on Matthew Hurt.

MSU can also get contributions on any given night from Foster Loyer, who can shoot the rock. Marcus Bingham Jr. has an improved offensive game. Gabe Brown can shoot and get to the rim with his athleticism. A few of the guys who come off the bench for the Spartans started a good amount of games last year, so the depth and experience should make this team a serious threat in the college basketball landscape.

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