Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from non-con win against Oakland

Michigan State entered this game ranked No. 10 in the latest coaching poll and hoping to win their 20th win over Oakland. The Spartans delivered with a 90-78 victory.

Michigan State played very well to start the game

The Spartans came out and went on an 8-0 to begin the game. True freshmen guard Max Christie made both of his three-point attempts and Gabe Brown put down a thunderous two-hand dunk to give the Spartans an early lead. Marcus Bingham Jr. would later but still early in the game, make a layup to put the Spartans up 17-10. Bingham then with just under 13 minutes remaining in the half and after Oakland cut Michigan State’s lead to two, put down a two-hand dunk to give the Spartans a 19-15 lead.

With just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Malik Hall made a mid-range basket to give Michigan State a five-point lead. Bingham would make a free throw and then on the rebound off his second free throw attempt, Brown on a reverse pass made a three to make it a 29-20 Spartans lead.

Hall then made a layup to make it a 31-22 game and after a Christie missed corner three-point attempt, Brown put back a two-handed dunk. He then made two free throws after a technical foul was called on Oakland’s head coach Greg Kampe. Bingham then threw down a two-handed dunk to make it a 44-35 Michigan State lead going into halftime.

Brown, Bingham, Christie led the Spartans

In the first half, Bingham made five out of his seven field goals attempts and had 11 first-half points. Brown played well in the first half as well as he had nine points, three rebounds, and two assists at halftime. Christie had only six first-half points and three rebounds but he had a great second half of play.

Brown finished the game with 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one block. Bingham had a great game overall where he ended the game with 17 points on eight on ten shooting with 12 rebounds and four block shots. Christie had a tremendous second half where he finished the game by shooting six for eight from the field and having 17 points and four rebounds.

The Spartans bench played well

Hall, Julius Marble II, Jaden Akins, and A.J. Hoggard helped Michigan State with the victory with their contributions and strong play. The Spartans starters played well but the bench helped Michigan State with the victory over Oakland. Hall ended the game having 13 points on six for seven shooting and Marble didn’t miss a shot and finished with four points.

Hoggard played well overall and he had seven points and seven assists and Akins didn’t light it up on the stat sheet but he played well defensively for the Spartans and finished with three points. The Michigan State bench overall didn’t put up eye-popping numbers but overall they allowed the Spartans starters to get some rest and not have Oakland go on a run to tie or take the lead in the second half.