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Published Dec 16, 2018
Spartans blitz Green Bay, 104-83
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Jim Comparoni  •  Spartans Illustrated
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EAST LANSING - Michigan State played with fine holiday cheer for about 25 minutes during a late-afternoon, 104-83 victory over Wisconsin-Green Bay at Breslin Center on Sunday.

But the Spartans coasted just enough in the second half to give Tom Izzo ammunition and reason to work them like The Grinch over the next few days. He’s looking forward to it.

“We have to learn how to finish,” Izzo said. “Finish games, finish practice and finish seasons. I didn’t like the way we finished the last couple of seasons so our motto has been: Let’s try to finish every event, every day.”

The Spartans didn’t finish properly on Sunday.

Michigan State led 64-35 at halftime, but the Spartans were outscored 48-40 in the second half.

“We’re going to do the opposite of my fellow and Hall Famer Allen Iverson: We’re going to practice,” Izzo said with a menacing smile. “And we’re going to practice and we’re going to practice. And we’re going to get better because this team has a chance to get better.”


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WHAT HAPPENED

The Spartans used 26 points on 12-of-13 shooting from Nick Ward. He dominated the last 10 minutes of the first half, especially in transition, and the early offense.

“He moves better than you think,” said Wisconsin Green Bay coach Linc Darner. “Film doesn’t do it justice because Winston is a lot faster than you think, too. They run hard every time, and that’s why they are so hard to guard.”

Ward had 24 points at halftime, but didn’t get as many interior touches in the second half.

“In the second half, we were getting sloppy on some things,” Izzo said.

After trailing 22-17, the No. 9-ranked Spartans outscored Green Bay 42-13 for the remainder of the first half and were never threatened in the second half.

Junior point guard Cassius Winston contributed 16 points, 12 assists and six rebounds. Junior guard Joshua Langford added 13 points while Matt McQuaid, back in the starting lineup after missing early December with a thigh bruise, scored 12 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

* Michigan State destroyed Green Bay with the Spartans’ blitz counterbreak, which employs a fastbreak after the opponent scores. Michigan State has run the blitz counterbreak for decades, going back to the Jud Heathcote era. But the blitz has rarely been as effective for 40 full minutes as it was on this night, against a Green Bay team that was willing to try to play an uptempo, 94-foot game, despite having played just 48 hours earlier at Creighton.

Green Bay had 30 field goals on the night, and the Spartans answered with immediate field goals at the other end via the blitz counterbreak on at one-third of those 30 after-basket opportunities, maybe half of them, with Ward often the recipient of early touches in the post.

“It’s a hard game for us because we play fast and they play fast, but they’re faster,” Darner said.

* MSU’s casual play in the second half led to some scornful Tom Izzo huddles during timeouts.

“We had some goals of what we hold a team to, defensively,” Izzo said. “We blew that. What we hold them from 3-point line; we blew that. What we hold them to in total points; we blew that. So I’ve got enough to do to earn my money this week and I promise that I’m going to do that.”

Izzo wasn’t angry about it. He seemed pleased, and eager that he has some correctable things to get on these guys about heading into four days of practice prior to Friday’s home game against Oakland University (7 p.m., BTN).

“There are times when Cassius is as good as anybody, and getting McQuaid and Arnie (Kyle Ahrens) back in there, and if Nick plays like that and can consistently do that, it’s going to be good,” Izzo said.

WHAT’S NEXT

"We know Nick Ward is going left. Everybody in the country knows he is going left. It’s still hard to stop."
Wisconsin Green Bay coach Linc Darner

Izzo has traditionally loved the opportunity to tighten screws on loose ends during the holiday break. Some years, the schedule allows a satisfactory chance to do. Some years, the scheduled doesn’t allow it.

This year, the schedule lets up nicely for some boot camp corrections.

“For me, it’s the greatest time of year,” Izzo said. “It’s not because of Christmas.

“Three’s no school, no finals, there’s no excuses. Most of the girlfriends are gone, most of their buddies are gone, and we get four days to practice with no rules, no anything. So we’re going to practice.”

MichiganState
FOOTBALL
Scores / Schedule
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6 - 2
Overall Record
0 - 0
Conference Record
Finished
N. Carolina
91
N. Carolina
Michigan St.
94
Arrow
Michigan St.
Michigan St.
63
Michigan St.
Memphis
71
Arrow
Memphis
Michigan St.
72
Arrow
Michigan St.
Colorado
56
Colorado
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