Michigan State basketball entered halftime of its victory Thursday night with its largest lead in the Big Ten in the last fifteen years and they haven’t looked back. The Spartans slammed the door on Washington and came away with one of the most lopsided Big Ten wins I’ve seen from this program in a long time.
It was the eighth straight victory for the Spartans, who haven’t lost a game since losing to Memphis in the Maui Invitational, and they did it in resounding fashion, beating the Huskies 88-54.
Below, we’ve rounded up some takeaways from a remarkable blowout victory for MSU.
Szymon Zapala was the perfect addition to this rotation
Last offseason, many Michigan State fans desperately wanted Tom Izzo to land a transfer commitment from Great Osobor. Instead, the Spartans chose Szymon Zapala, a lesser-known center who spent last year with Longwood, who, coincidentally, Osobor actually replaced at Utah State last year when Zapala moved to Longwood.
Many fans were concerned about going after a player like Zapala over Osobor, and while Osobor is a solid player, Zapala was just what the doctor ordered for this team. Although he didn’t fill up the stat sheet tonight, when he was on the court his size looked imposing against a Washington team that starts Osobor at center at just 6-foot-8.
Zapala’s size has been a welcome and needed addition to this group, and I think the center rotation where MSU uses three different guys in this role is perfect for his strengths and weaknesses.
Saddi Washington deserves some recognition
For years, Dwayne Stephens was known as the MSU assistant coach who focused on working with big men. Since leaving for the Western Michigan job, the coaching staff had a bit of a void in that role, until Saddi Washington joined the team.
The work Washington has done with the Spartan big men has been remarkable this year. All three players are playing excellent basketball, with Cooper and Kohler looking visibly stronger this year. It’s time Saddi Washington got her recognition.
Jeremy Fears Jr. gets better with every game
I have been a huge believer in Jeremy Fears Jr. since he arrived in East Lansing. However, after missing most of last season after suffering a gunshot wound, Fears entered this year looking a little rusty and a little turnover-prone.
I’ve noticed improvement in Fears almost every game this season, and Thursday night’s win over Washington might have been his best game yet.
Fears ended with a double-double on the night with 12 points and 10 assists.
Jaden Akins continues his growth to become the leader of this team
I don’t think anyone knows that Jaden Akins needs to be the leader and primary scoring option on this team more than Jaden Akins. At times this year, he looked like he was almost trying too hard and putting pressure on himself as he learned to grow into the role.
Thursday night was a strong performance for Akins who continues to look more comfortable in his role.
Akins led the way in scoring Thursday night with 20 points.
This defense is one of the best in the country
Washington scored 13 points in the first half. Washington’s best player, Great Osobor, didn’t make a field goal. This defense is world class. If Washington hadn’t finished the game late, they wouldn’t have scored more than 50. This is a level of defense we haven’t seen from this program in a long time.
This article was originally published on Spartans Wire: Five takeaways from Michigan State basketball’s blowout win over Washington
