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V-Cast: Michigan State is making real progress, with time to work on self between now and restart of Big Ten play

On3 imageby:Paul Konyndyk•12/07/24•

PKonyndyk

V-Cast1224

EAST LANSING, Mich. – After winning a blowout victory over Minnesota on Wednesday, Michigan State won by an even bigger landslide in an 89-52 blowout win over Nebraska at home. This game was close for a half, before the Spartans dominated the early minutes of the second half and cruised to a 2-0 start in Big Ten play thereafter.

Afterward, SpartanMag staffers Jim Comparoni and Paul Konyndyk checked in from court at the Breslin Center with the latest V-Cast.

V-CAST TOPICS

JAXON KOHLER: Junior center Jaxon Kohler had one of the best games of his Michigan State career against Nebraska despite falling two points short of a double double. Kohler was at his best as a rebounder in this game, finishing with 12 rebounds including seven offensive boards. Kohler also showed impressive versatility on the defensive end of the floor guarding everybody from Juwan Gary to Meah Braxton. This is the second game in a row where Kohler has played well in tough defensive matchups. Early this week Kohler played surprisingly well on defense against dynamic Minnesota four Dawson Garcia.

REBOUNDING: Michigan State has had dominant halves rebounding the basketball. The first half of Wednesday’s game against Minnesota was a prime example. This game against Nebraska, however, a complete-game domination on the glass as Michigan State outrebounded The Huskers 48-19. Kohler led the way for the Spartans on the glass with 12 rebounds. Andrew Morgan was the only Nebraska player that had more than three rebounds against the Spartans. Michigan State, meanwhile, had five players with at least four rebounds.

HOLIDAY BREAK: Michigan State will play just one game in the next 10 days and three games between now and the resumption of Big Ten play at Ohio State on January 3. Given how well the Spartans have played in the last three games, this may seem like a less than ideal team to stop playing games. There are, however, areas where Michigan State can take advantage of the additional practice time to work on self. It also may not be a bad thing for the Spartans to have a little bit of time off given the amount of time they have spent traveling since the season began. Ball-screen defense is one of the areas that Michigan State would like to tighten up before Big Ten play gets underway again. The additional time in the practice gym could also provide an opportunity for Omaha transfer Frankie Fidler to get his perimeter jumper squared away.

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