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This column has been updated to add quotes from MSU’s players.
1. MSU survives – and won’t complain about that. Holy smokes.
EAST LANSING – I don’t know that Todd Simon and Tum Tum Nairn are going to be welcomed back at Breslin Center. Bowling Green big fella Marcus Johnson certainly isn’t.
Michigan State’s 86-72 win Saturday might be the most deceptive final score in the history of college basketball.
Michigan State survived a scare Saturday that would have been a monumental upset in some ways — like the point spread and athletic budgets — but less so to everyone who witnessed the Falcons blitz the Spartans out of the gate and then go toe to toe with them until the final minutes.
Simon, Bowling Green’s head coach and a native of nearby Fowler, said this week that Johnson was the best shooter he’s ever had. MSU and its fans learned it quickly, as the wide-bodied 6-foot-7 forward introduced his unsuspecting audience to his offensive game, with 13 early points and 23 for the game, scoring in the post, on the drive and from long range.
“When knew he was the best player coming out,” MSU center Carson Cooper said. “I don’t think the audience did. Someone who isn’t super athletic but can still get a shot off over you, that’s a skill. He plays at his own pace and you have no choice but to play at his pace when you’re defending him.”
MSU trailed by 12 in the first half and, after tying it at the break, by eight again midway through the second half, and as late as 72-71 with 6:11 remaining.
They were rescued by their defense — not allowing a field goal from then on — and by the performances down the stretch of Coen Carr, Jaden Akins, Frankie Fidler and Carson Cooper (more on him later).
Michigan State’s Carson Cooper, top, defends against Bowling Green’s Marcus Johnson during the second half on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Breslin Center in East Lansing.
This was a big game for Bowling Green — for Simon and for Nairn, the former MSU guard who’s on Bowling Green’s…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/couch-3-quick-takes-michigan-013913520.html
Author : Lansing State Journal
Publish date : 2024-11-17 01:39:00
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