Michigan State basketball road win, Michigan, 3 Takeaways

Michigan State sweeps Michigan, wins 73-63. Malik Hall shines, bench steps up, and defense travels. Davis Smith has career-defining moment.

Michigan State's basketball team made a triumphant 64-mile bus ride from East Lansing to Ann Arbor, securing a sweep over their in-state rivals, the Michigan Wolverines. The Spartans held the Wolverines scoreless for the final 7 minutes of the game, ultimately claiming a 73-63 victory as the Crisler Center echoed with "Go Green, Go White" chants from the Spartan faithful.

This win is a significant Q2 win for Michigan State, further strengthening their NCAA Tournament resume.

Following this decisive victory, let's delve into some of the key takeaways from MSU's impressive win in Ann Arbor:

Malik Hall has been a hot topic in recent weeks, and it's clear that he has truly come into his own. It's not unusual for seniors to elevate their game as their college basketball careers draw to a close, and Hall appears to be doing just that.

In 2015, Travis Trice famously began his magical senior season run with a win in Ann Arbor. While this isn't Hall's first standout performance, it certainly underscores the fact that he is poised to lead the MSU team strongly into the postseason.

AJ Hoggard encountered foul trouble early in the game, sitting out the rest of the first half after picking up his second foul. Despite his absence, the Spartans managed to enter halftime with a two-point lead, driven by their bench players.

If MSU can continue to receive quality contributions from bench players such as Tre Holloman, Coen Carr, and Xavier Booker when their key players are off the court, they will pose a formidable challenge to any opponent.

For the second consecutive game, Michigan State has demonstrated strength on the road. The team, which previously had a poor record away from home, has now put together a couple of strong performances on the road, instilling confidence in fans that they can secure wins away from home.

This MSU team is learning a crucial lesson: defense travels. They have established themselves as one of the best defensive teams in the country.

Davis Smith had a memorable moment during the game. Thrust into action in the final minute of the half, he was fouled with less than a second remaining and made both free throws, giving MSU the lead. This career-defining moment for the former walk-on undoubtedly brought joy to Spartan Nation.